In The Portal: Between the Natural and the Supernatural by Lou Pugliese, after surviving a boating accident that briefly ends her life, Vicki Roadcap returns to consciousness with the conviction that she never fully came back. As she recovers alongside her husband, Trey, and their close circle, Vicki begins to describe a place she calls the Portal, where she claims to have encountered people who had died and to receive warnings about events that have not yet occurred. When one of those warnings concerns a newborn child within their group, Vicki’s belief collides with medical experts and law enforcement and ravages the fragile trust of people who love her.

The Portal by Lou Pugliese offers a unique premise, with storytelling that is way more in-depth than the book blurb suggests. I really like that what happens to Vicki isn't a singular, isolated event, and there's an entire woman-on-a-mission aspect that is really brilliant. Vicki’s almost desperate need to return to the Portal kicks into high gear when she secretly obtains propofol and does the unthinkable to get back to the place where she thinks answers exist. It's a bold, cinematic risk, and the author executes it like an absolute pro. The writing style is intelligent without reading like a jargon dump and, by the end, I cared less about explaining the Portal and more about what was happening in the “real world.” Overall, this is a high-spec supernatural novel that sets its own pace and powers through every page. Very highly recommended.

The Portal by Lou Pugliese is an engrossing paranormal mystery. Vicki Roadcap, a paranormal enthusiast and a skilled slalom skier, suffered a clinical death in a water ski accident on a boating trip with her friends. Darell, a friend and police officer, resuscitated Vicki, but her injury required a medically induced coma. During her clinical death and coma, Vicki found herself in the Portal between life and death, where she met many souls coming to life and dying. Among them was the mysterious ghost of Isabel Helms, a murder victim. When Vicki visited the Portal again, Isabel warned her about the impending kidnapping of her friend’s baby daughter, Elizabeth. Who would kidnap Elizabeth and why? Can Vicki and her friends rescue the child?

What a riveting read! Suspenseful, controversial, fast-moving, and thought-provoking, Lou Pugliese’s The Portal kept me turning the pages from start to finish. The characters were relatable and contributed perfectly to the action. In particular, Vicki was a piece of work, and Darell was a friend to die for. But it was Lincoln, a sheltie, who stole the show for me with his antics, frisbee, tennis ball, zoomies, and carrots. I also appreciated the great humour and the atmosphere of friendly camaraderie and support. There was not a single dull moment in this thoroughly enjoyable novel. What made it stand out for me were the pervasive themes of afterlife experience blended with thought-provoking reflections on the meaning of God and faith. I highly recommend this fabulous novel to adult paranormal mystery fans.

The Portal by Lou Pugliese follows a group of friends whose summer boating outing turns tragic when Vicki is struck on the head by a ski rope from a speeding boat and thrown into the river. Her husband, Trey, a retired NFL lineman, and their friends—including Darell, a police sergeant, and Audrey, who is pregnant—rush to save her. Darell uses CPR until an AED can be applied at the marina, preventing severe brain damage. Vicki ends up hospitalized, placed in a medically induced coma, and monitored for brain swelling. While asleep, she finds herself in the Portal, a space between life and death, linked to friends, family, and her unborn niece. As medical scares and unexpected struggles pile up, the group depends on each other more than ever before. Can Vicki and her friends find the strength they need to face whatever comes next?

Lou Pugliese's The Portal blends suspense with fascinating supernatural concepts. The book alternates between medical drama, home life, and Vicki’s near-death encounters, maintaining the pacing while holding attention without pushing the storyline too hard. Pugliese presents characters with relatable personalities, showing their development through courage, forgiveness, and incredible support. By moving between boating events and hospital corridors, the story gains texture, creating moments where the characters can grow and form deep bonds along the way. I applaud the way the author thoughtfully explores empathy and human connection throughout the book. Overall, the writing is engaging, making it easy for readers to follow. Anyone who loves character-driven stories with mystery, friendship, and captivating supernatural elements will enjoy this book.

The Portal: Between the Natural and the Supernatural by Lou Pugliese is about a close group of friends whose lives change suddenly during a summer boating trip. What starts as a fun day turns serious when Vicki is badly hurt and is rushed to the hospital with a severe head injury. As doctors work to save her life, her friends and family face fear, uncertainty, and the strain of waiting. At the same time, another life-changing event unfolds when Audrey (one of Vicki's friends) goes into labor, placing joy and crisis side by side. While Vicki lies in a medically induced coma, she experiences what she later calls the Portal, a space between life and death where she encounters loved ones and delivers messages. Caught between medical reality and unexplained experiences, the story leaves readers to consider where life truly ends.

The Portal is a compelling story that blends suspense with paranormal elements, magical realism, and drama. The book moves through hospitals, family spaces, and a little local art shop, showing that home isn’t only a place—it’s also the people you share it with. I love how Lou Pugliese blends medical details with strange, supernatural happenings in a way that makes the story easy to follow. The characters grow through shared difficult moments, and friendship and kindness guide their actions. The supernatural moments are interesting and pull readers into the story. The book focuses on choosing forgiveness instead of blame and growth over fear. It’s ideal for readers who love paranormal suspense stories about survival and close-knit families.