This book is an unexpected journey. The MMC Cole was unlikable to be, I don’t mind arrogant/playboy types but he came across as naive yet full of it, the flaunting of wealth was overdone too. For example, cars are mentioned a lot within the book. As a non car enthusiast I didn’t care for these details.
The pacing was off for me as well, we kind of suddenly embarked on this journey and the backstory didn’t really have the same level of pace so it read as different stories.
What I really enjoyed and wanted more of was the ocean exploration and the meaning of all this, had this been the ultimate focus I think I would have enjoyed the book more.
I didn’t care for a romance aspect due to not really liking the MMC.
Definitely a different read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Thank you NetGalley and author Dean Hamilton for the copy in exchange of my honest review.

"After the tragic death of his parents at sea, wealthy socialite and playboy Cole Hollingsworth is set to take over his father's publishing empire, but when childhood schoolmate Lindsay Featherstone, now an accomplished researcher and oceanographer, reenters his life, Cole's world, along with everything he knew to be true about life, love, and second chances, is about to be turned upside down.

Who is Lindsay, really? What does she want with Cole? And, perhaps most intriguing of all, has she found the key to all of life and death, and the mysteries of the afterlife, in the deepest reaches of the ocean's floor?"

This is an easy and quick read. I can't seem to connect with the characters though. This book is not for me.

I'm calling it quits on this book just shy of the halfway mark. It never quite hooked me, and despite my best efforts to chip away at it by reading in short sprints alongside other books, it's a no-go. The premise intrigued me, but the execution left me feeling disconnected and lost in its envisioned future world.

The Portal: Only an Ocean Away is one of those strangely written novels that, despite a slow and boring beginning, trap the reader between its pages.
Cole, our protagonist, is presented from the beginning as a playboy, womanizer and semi-alcoholic, heir to a billion-dollar fortune, but whose only goal in life is to have fun and dedicate the minimum of time to the company he inherited after his accidental death. from his parents. Nice character, right?
From the moment Lindsay makes her first appearance, the reader begins to doubt her nature: what or who exactly is Lindsay? The only thing clear is that she was that strange girl in high school, the target of jokes and ridicule from Cole and his friends and that, it couldn't be any other way, she was secretly in love with him.
Together, Cole and Lindsay will live an adventure that borders on science fiction and metaphysics, in a story that, although it is not for everyone's tastes, will captivate you if you give it the chance.
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

Loved it. I loved the plot and I loved the whole book.
I can say that the characters aren't perfect but yeah they are growing. And the portal things, that was written very well. I was really imagining that stuff. So I'm very excited to read the second book.
Great plot and it is a well-written book. I liked the total journey to the portal and the underwater description was thrilling. Lindsay was something I never expected while reading. Because I really couldn't figure out what the characters would do or face next.
Excited about book 2!

The Portal: Only an Ocean Apart" by Dean Hamilton is a riveting exploration of life's origins and the mysteries beyond death. Grounded in scientific theory and infused with the belief in human connections across alternate dimensions, Hamilton's debut novel feels more like a glimpse into reality than mere fiction. Following wealthy playboy Cole Hollingsworth and accomplished oceanographer Lindsay Featherstone, the story delves into love, loss, and the quest for second chances after a tragic sea incident. As the pair unravels the truth about Cole's parents, the narrative takes unexpected turns, challenging their understanding of life, death, and the profound secrets hidden in the ocean's depths. Hamilton's distinct blend of science and faith makes "The Portal" a captivating journey that transcends conventional storytelling, offering readers a thought-provoking exploration of existence and transformation on a global scale.

This was a strong start to the Hollingsworth Island series, it had a great concept that I was hooked from the first page. The world worked with what I was hoping for and that the characters felt like they belonged there. Dean Hamilton has a great writing style and the characters worked in this universe. I can’t wait to read more in this series and from Dean Hamilton.

Not the best book to end my 2023 year on. I was largely confused as I was reading it. It starts with a business deal that we know is a scam but, of course, our MMC billionaire has no idea. It morphs into a very forced-feeling love story and a search for his parents at the bottom of the ocean. Then it turns into a story about a portal into some weird thoughts about the afterlife with a confession of never-ending love by the end and changing of the topography of the Bermuda Triangle. I felt the whole thing was very contrived, the characters did not act naturally. Their moods changed inexplicably from one moment to the next and their feelings towards each other felt very false. I wish I had better things to say but the cover was better than the book.

When I first joined NetGalley, I was mistaken about how it worked. I was under the impression that we received physical copies of books. I didn’t realize it was strictly online. So I requested some books thinking I’d be getting them in the mail, and once I figured out how the app works, I realized I had made a mistake. I tried my very best to read these books, but my eyes just can’t handle it. I can’t read a book online. It has to be a physical copy or it hurts my eyes and gives me headaches. From here on out, I will only be requesting graphic novels, comics, and manga. Those don’t hurt my eyes. I will most certainly be buying these books in physical form the very day they are published! And then I will most certainly leave a review on goodreads. I look forward to reading the rest of the books. They are all very good so far, and I can’t wait to finish them! Thank you for this opportunity and I am sorry that I was wrong about how it worked at first. Now I know.

I have read a little less than half way through this book and don't see myself finishing so will be a DNF. It was a bit difficult to get into and I read it alongside other books to feel that I could get through by reading short bursts. But a no for me, I like the concept but it was a bit flat and confusing to step into a future world.

It's a curious indusive book, short and easy read. The book started off strong, the middle was rushed so the sci-fi fantasy seemed too fast and I would have liked more of it and the ending was cliffhanger.
The dreamlike states that Cole kept having were nice but I wanted more of those, like the visit at the bar in the carribean. I think the writing was good, and the two worlds worked nicely. I give this a solid 3.5 and I would recommend for people who like sci-fi mystery.

Dean Hamilton's Breakout novel, "The Portal: Only an Ocean Apart," is the first installment of the Hollingsworth Island series. Cole Hollingsworth is a recent billionaire, inheriting his wealth after the tragic death of his parents. Lindsay Featherstone is the daughter of one of his father's old friends, who comes back into his life to help process the death of his parents but seems to raise more questions than answers.

The plot was decent but took a while to develop. The main characters were OK, but they would constantly get on my nerves. Every time I would start to like them and it felt like character development would happen, they would do something cringey or childish and it would turn me off again. I think it's supposed to be a sci-fi fantasy, but it takes a long time for the fantasy aspects to kick in so it makes you forget it's supposed to be a fantasy, then the fantasy elements feel out of place. All in all a decent read, but if you have a full TBR then I wouldn't waste your time on this one unless you feel absolutely compelled to.

Would I reread this book? No
Will I continue the series? Probably not

Thank you to NetGalley & to Dean Hamilton for the e-ARC of this book!

I am not sure about this story, and it wasn't what I expected to be honest. The plot at times was a little flat and disconnected at times. The story at times has a very scientific theory that at times took away from the story and pulling reader into a different direction. When the story would begin again reader might feel a disconnect from the character who is trying to under the meaning of life after tragic loss.

I wasn't a huge fan of the author writing style and felt the story was to disconnect.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for advance copy.

If the reader is seeking a book that is so bad that it becomes comical, than this is the perfect book. If the goal is to read a serious work of fantasy, this is not the book.

I am not sure I would call the story a fantasy. There are some fantasy elements to it but for the most part it’s about a billionaire trying to find some meaning to life after his parents disappear and are presumed dead.

Things I didn’t like:
There’s a lot of emphasis on the fact that Cole is a rich and privileged. Lindsay comes off as a bully until it’s revealed that Cole treated her the same in grade school. However, this does mean it’s okay for her to do the same. The story just ends.

Things I did like:
Cole’s evolution from billionaire playboy to a man ready to take control of his company. The fantasy theory when finally revealed is very interesting, and I would have enjoyed more.

I’d like to thank NetGalley for this complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

The writing style is super readable. However things are too slow for me and nothing is really happening. Just doesn’t work for me unfortunately but I hope it finds the right audience.

Dean Hamilton invites readers to a captivating exploration of the origins of life and the mysteries of life after death. Grounded in scientific theory and the belief in connections through alternative dimensions, Hamilton's debut work reads more like reality than fiction.

Despite a commendable writing style and compelling characters, the book lacks depth.

"The Portal: Only an Ocean Apart" remains solid, but the plot could benefit from more substance. Nevertheless, Hamilton's writing flair and skillfully developed characters contribute to the book's appeal for readers.

Thanks To Netgalley and Hollingsworth Island for providing me the E-ARC.

very easy to read like once you start you can’t put it down , loved the plot and how it’s adventure meet romance. characters and plot is really well written. loved it to bits overall