Bills by John Yelverton is an adventure story that captures the intense world of offshore billfishing. It follows Jason 'J-Bay' Baymont, a young man determined to become a competitive fisherman. He is hired by Cricket, an experienced captain, to join his crew on the Family Tradition, a sportfisher owned by a wealthy man who has a beautiful daughter named Katie. Jason is warned against flirting with Katie, as doing so could jeopardize his job. He is also desperate not to disappoint his father, who is battling skin cancer and wants Jason to join the family’s commercial fishing business. However, as they spend time together on and off the boat, Jason finds himself falling for Katie. The competitive fishing environment proves challenging and teaches Jason valuable lessons about teamwork and resilience. Join Jason on the adventure of a lifetime as he forms bonds, finds love, and fishes for marlin.

Bills is an inspiring story that conveys themes of love, sacrifice, ambition, and endurance. John Yelverton expertly blends game fishing details into the narrative. The writing is smooth and engaging, balancing humor with emotionally driven moments. The characters are intriguing and easy to fall in love with, and I particularly enjoyed the natural banter between them. One of my favorite lines is 'That’s why they call it fishin’, not catchin’!', highlighting the hard work and dedication involved. The author also covers the dangers of tornadoes and storms, as well as the injuries that can occur while fishing. Jason and Katie’s blossoming romance is beautifully depicted, showing their mutual respect and appreciation for one another. This is an excellent read, filled with educational elements and an engaging story that will inspire you to believe in love and pursue your dreams. Great work!

In Bills by John Yelverton, Jason grew up in Destin, where he went fishing with his father, a renowned fisherman. Commercial fishing is their passion, and Jacob hopes Jason, who has shown great promise, will become the captain of their boat in due time. One day, Soda, who is involved with tournament fishing, approaches Jacob and Jason and tells them about a rich man who has bought a large estate and a large boat in the area and has offered Soda a job. Mr. Gregory had lost his wife in an accident and didn’t want to lose time with his daughter while working nonstop. After Jacob leaves for his appointment with the doctor, Soda offers Jason a job as a second mate on the Family Tradition. Jason is afraid he will disappoint his father, but things go well, and he takes the job. Eventually, when Mr. Gregory arrives with his daughter, they go on several tournament fishing trips. How will things turn out as Jason starts developing feelings for Katie against his captain's advice?

This was my first time reading a book on fishing adventures, and Bills by John Yelverton did not disappoint. I loved the vivid descriptions of events and emotions, which helped to capture my imagination, and the in-depth engagement with new terminologies related to fishing triggered my curiosity about tournament fishing. John utilized suspense effectively, which kept me glued to my couch as I waited to find out what would happen in the subsequent chapters, and I also loved the seamless flow of the plot, which ensured no room for confusion. The characters were well-developed, and the reader will also appreciate the well-crafted dialogues, which helped to bring the story to life. The excellent narrative also added to the overall readability of the work. This is a good story, and I look forward to more by John Yelverton.

Bills by John Yelverton is an adventure novel about Jason Baymont, a young fisherman from Destin, Florida. Jason joins his father in commercial fishing. But he is conflicted after an invitation from a friend, Soda, to join him and Cricket on the "Family Tradition"—a sportfishing boat that enters big marlin tournaments. Jason wants to fish with his father, but he has always dreamt of sports fishing. As Jason makes his choice, he faces heavy storms, dangerous seas, and battles massive marlin. He also finds himself caught up in the middle of a relationship with Katie, the boat owner's daughter, which goes strictly against the rules. Jason will have to make a decision that will decide the fate of his dreams and his future with the girl he loves.

This was an exciting read for me. I enjoyed this book as much as I love watching fishing programs and videos. John Yelverton's writing was very detailed and engaging. The way he clearly captured the essence of Gulf Coast culture and showed the excitement the characters felt when they had a big catch made me want to celebrate with them; it was as if I were a part of their adventure. I was able to relate to Jason's troubles in following his dreams; he wanted to respect his father's expectations, but he had a different path to follow. Soda and Cricket were great characters. I loved their lively vibes and how they added fun, enjoyment, and adventure to the story. Katie and Jason's relationship added warmth and drama to the narrative. I enjoyed each of the tournaments and Jason's growth as a person. By the time I finished reading this book, the title had more meaning. It wasn't just about the bills that need to be paid but about the costs and debts we carry in life through duty, sacrifice, and ambition. To chase our dreams, a price must be paid, and every decision has a price attached to it as well. I recommend Bills by John Yelverton to readers who enjoy books about fishing, adventure, and romance.

Bills by John Yelverton is a captivating story that follows Jason Baymont, a young man who loves fishing and dreams of catching marlin. Jason has spent his entire life in his fishing community, mentored by his father and family friends. He has the experience to build a career in fishing. He could become a commercial fisherman, but his heart is not in it. When he gets an offer to join a crew that will be competing in marlin fishing, he quickly jumps on it. He becomes the wireman on the Family Tradition, a beautiful boat owned by Mr. Gregory, a rich man who has lost his wife and wishes to create memories with his daughter, Katie. Jason is challenged during the fishing competitions, as he faces tests of endurance and strength, discipline, and attraction to Katie. Lurking in the waters on a rival boat is Bill Murphy, who is cocky and will stop at nothing to destroy Jason’s fishing dreams and chances with Katie.

Bills is an informative and entertaining book that introduces readers to the competitive sport of billfishing. It combines adventure, humor, drama, and romance. I appreciated the detailed descriptions and terminology related to sailing and fishing, which show John Yelverton’s knowledge and passion for the subjects. Jason and Katie are youthful characters whose chemistry will make you root for their love; their ups and downs, stemming from their different social backgrounds, add depth to their relationship and allow readers to witness their growth and understanding of each other. The story also highlights Jason's father, Jacob, and his battle with cancer, showing the importance of family bonds and the ability to find humor in the toughest situations. Jacob’s jokes serve as a soothing balm amid his struggles. The heart of the story is in the fishing adventures embarked upon by the crew of the Family Tradition, illustrating the importance of teamwork and support. The story conveys a profound message about taking risks and pursuing one’s dreams. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves adventure stories centered around fishing, resilience, and the formation of friendships and lasting memories.