What do you think?
Bills
With marlins, money, danger, and love on the line, prepare to be hooked!
Bills invites readers on a thrilling adventure where the breathtaking beauty of the sea meets the high-stakes excitement of competitive billfishing.
This gripping coming-of-age story follows Jason Baymont, a young fisherman from Destin, Florida, as he charts his own path through the unpredictable waters of life. Though he is drawn to the adrenaline-fueled excitement and glamour of catching the world’s most powerful game fish—the mighty blue marlin—he must first confront his fear of disappointing his father, who expects him to take over the family’s commercial fishing business. Choosing to pursue his passion, Jason takes on the dangerous role of a wireman, where a single misstep could send him overboard, dragged into the depths by a massive marlin. Meanwhile, his growing attraction to the boat owner’s daughter complicates matters as he contends with a wealthy rival vying for her affection.
Bills invites readers on a thrilling adventure where the breathtaking beauty of the sea meets the high-stakes excitement of competitive billfishing.
This gripping coming-of-age story follows Jason Baymont, a young fisherman from Destin, Florida, as he charts his own path through the unpredictable waters of life. Though he is drawn to the adrenaline-fueled excitement and glamour of catching the world’s most powerful game fish—the mighty blue marlin—he must first confront his fear of disappointing his father, who expects him to take over the family’s commercial fishing business. Choosing to pursue his passion, Jason takes on the dangerous role of a wireman, where a single misstep could send him overboard, dragged into the depths by a massive marlin. Meanwhile, his growing attraction to the boat owner’s daughter complicates matters as he contends with a wealthy rival vying for her affection.
373 pages, Paperback
Published August 28, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 29, 2025
I honestly expected to hate this book, but I ended up really enjoying it!! There’s family, romance, heartbreak, and of course, fishing! I did learn a lot about fishing from this book, but it was a really good story.
September 10, 2025
I just finished reading Bill’s by John Yelverton, and what a ride! This fiction book truly has something for everyone. It’s not just about fishing, it weaves in a touch of romance, a tough competitor, and even a raging storm. Set right here in the panhandle, Yelverton‘s writing style made me feel like I was right there on the boat with them.
I actually started reading it and the doctors office and was annoyed when I had to stop. As soon as I got home, I picked it back up and couldn’t put it down. The intense scenes had my blood pressure rising right along with the characters’!
This is a must read for anyone looking for an engaging, well told story that hooks you from the first page.
I actually started reading it and the doctors office and was annoyed when I had to stop. As soon as I got home, I picked it back up and couldn’t put it down. The intense scenes had my blood pressure rising right along with the characters’!
This is a must read for anyone looking for an engaging, well told story that hooks you from the first page.
November 20, 2025
This was a fun read, with humor, romance, action and suspense. It reads like a feel-good movie, heavier on the adventure and action and with a deep appreciation for nature and the technical skill that is sport fishing. It's a heart warming story that is wholesome and centers a main character who strives to live by his values. You will finish it quickly because the pace is well done and the characters are really accessible, especially if you've lived in the south. Readers who live on the gulf coast will especially delight in the familiar experiences, culture and places.
September 11, 2025
Author leaves little to the imagination and dampens the storytelling with unsolicited and patronizing over-explanations throughout the novel. I lost count of how many know many times I read the phrase “known as” or “referred to as”. If a reader wants to submerse themselves into the world an author attempts to create, they can seek out this very basic information. Really disrupted the flow and seal this story tries to portray.
The dialogue between characters improved through the book but did not seem to capture the southern, coastal charm it was going for in this book. Dialogue feels formally and forcefully written at times. The first 100 pages did not strike me as dialogue that would be shared between career fisherman in the Deep South named Soda and Cricket. Builds into something more natural as camaraderie on the team builds.
An exciting story with a predictable, feel-good plot. Enjoyable, easy read if you can get past the novelism.
The dialogue between characters improved through the book but did not seem to capture the southern, coastal charm it was going for in this book. Dialogue feels formally and forcefully written at times. The first 100 pages did not strike me as dialogue that would be shared between career fisherman in the Deep South named Soda and Cricket. Builds into something more natural as camaraderie on the team builds.
An exciting story with a predictable, feel-good plot. Enjoyable, easy read if you can get past the novelism.
December 21, 2025
Cute story. This a another giveaway from Goodreads and it didn't disappoint. Great description without bring overly detailed. Budding romance with zero vulgarity. This story follows a young man through the growth that happens when we grow up. Lessons are taught, lessons are learned lessons are applied, and we get to go along for the ride.
This book was signed by the author. The personal touch was nice. But my name was misspelled.
UPDATE: Today, I received a personal note from the author apologizing for the misspelled name and an updated version of the novel. I never expected that. I just wanted to let the author know. Class act sir. Thank you very much. I look forward to reading the updated story.
This book was signed by the author. The personal touch was nice. But my name was misspelled.
UPDATE: Today, I received a personal note from the author apologizing for the misspelled name and an updated version of the novel. I never expected that. I just wanted to let the author know. Class act sir. Thank you very much. I look forward to reading the updated story.
March 25, 2026
This book started off a little too technical for me, thought I was just going to skim through it. Then, they started to catch big fish, talk about the fight which is very exciting. I liked the sweet love story, the villain, and the Hemingway references were *chef kiss*. I can’t wait for the next book hopefully. Spread the word read this book. The title isn’t catchy but book is. I did take away a bit of the rating due to the technical verbiage, wish I could give half stars. 4.5
I did win this book, but my review is my honest review!
I did win this book, but my review is my honest review!
July 29, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bills by John Yelverton was such a fun read, especially because I know the Destin area. The way the author described the Emerald Coast made me feel like I was right there, visiting all the familiar locations. It was so enjoyable to recognize the places throughout the story.
I'm not a fisherman, but the fishing scenes were written so well that I could easily picture every catch and almost felt like I was out on the water myself. If you've never been to Destin, this book is a wonderful way to experience the area's beauty while learning a little about fishing the Emerald Coast waters.
On top of that, Bills delivers a sweet, heartwarming story with just a touch of forbidden romance. It's a charming read filled with local flavor and a story that kept me turning the pages. Whether you're familiar with Destin or simply looking for an entertaining read, I recommend this book.
Bills by John Yelverton was such a fun read, especially because I know the Destin area. The way the author described the Emerald Coast made me feel like I was right there, visiting all the familiar locations. It was so enjoyable to recognize the places throughout the story.
I'm not a fisherman, but the fishing scenes were written so well that I could easily picture every catch and almost felt like I was out on the water myself. If you've never been to Destin, this book is a wonderful way to experience the area's beauty while learning a little about fishing the Emerald Coast waters.
On top of that, Bills delivers a sweet, heartwarming story with just a touch of forbidden romance. It's a charming read filled with local flavor and a story that kept me turning the pages. Whether you're familiar with Destin or simply looking for an entertaining read, I recommend this book.
October 4, 2026
I felt like I was truly a part of the story, this was such a great read. I knew nothing about sport fishing and now I feel like a professional. Now I need to catch a blue marlin. You have to read it!
January 6, 2026
Good book
February 22, 2026
I had won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and was looking forward to reading it. Although I’m not a person who fishes, I am from the south and fishing is a huge part of everyday life where I’m from.
I throughly enjoyed this story. It had a sweet and supportive family dynamic, a little romance, some heartbreaking moments, and such a great working/friendship aspect as well. I just love a story that pulls you in. One where you can visualize what you’re reading and have you feeling the emotions along with the characters. There is a lot of fishing knowledge in this book and I have learned quite a bit while reading it. I appreciate the knowledge the author has incorporated in this book.
On a side note, I just have to say that I absolutely love the cover of this book. It is such a beautiful book that will definitely be on display.
I would like to thank Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to win this book. I also would love to thank the author, John Yelverton, for not only gifting me this autographed book, but for your sweet message in it as well.
I throughly enjoyed this story. It had a sweet and supportive family dynamic, a little romance, some heartbreaking moments, and such a great working/friendship aspect as well. I just love a story that pulls you in. One where you can visualize what you’re reading and have you feeling the emotions along with the characters. There is a lot of fishing knowledge in this book and I have learned quite a bit while reading it. I appreciate the knowledge the author has incorporated in this book.
On a side note, I just have to say that I absolutely love the cover of this book. It is such a beautiful book that will definitely be on display.
I would like to thank Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to win this book. I also would love to thank the author, John Yelverton, for not only gifting me this autographed book, but for your sweet message in it as well.
November 20, 2025
I won Bills: A Fishing Adventure with Marlins, Money, and Love on the Line in a goodreads giveaway, thank you to goodreads.com. Unfortunately that is where my appreciation ends.
As a Floridian fisherman myself, I was looking forward to reading a story about catching Marlins. I usually target barracuda and snapper. However, this book is not an original story, nor is it written by a human hand. It was very obviously made by AI generation.
The sanitized and one-dimensional cast of adult characters, who spoke and acted like they belonged in a g-rated children's movie, were like faceless clones without personality beyond character archetypes such as "Trust fund kid" and "Dude bruh". The bewildering fishing homework lessons throughout I can only imagine were used to fluff up the word count, because there is nothing else of substance here. Spewing facts just for the sake of it is a telltale sign of AI. Where are the literary devices? The Old Man and The Sea is referenced a few times; do you know that book is often criticized for being TOO symbolic? What are we symbolizing in Bills? Nothing. When the flying fish started dying on the deck I though wow, are we actually doing something here? Are we alluding to something? Foreshadowing? No. It just happens, and we move on, and we smile in various ways.
I was willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt in the beginning. I was like let me not jump to conclusions before giving them a chance. I shouldn't've. I was in the middle of typing a fair and honest review with some friendly tips on pacing and foreshadowing. But I realized it was all for nothing and I was wasting my time, because the author is a soulless machine.
Go ahead, read the first chapter, I dare you. I double dog dare you to read the whole thing like I did, all ten chapters, and tell me it's not AI. Tell me a real human wrote out all those descriptions of smiles. You know who's not smiling? Me.
As a Floridian fisherman myself, I was looking forward to reading a story about catching Marlins. I usually target barracuda and snapper. However, this book is not an original story, nor is it written by a human hand. It was very obviously made by AI generation.
The sanitized and one-dimensional cast of adult characters, who spoke and acted like they belonged in a g-rated children's movie, were like faceless clones without personality beyond character archetypes such as "Trust fund kid" and "Dude bruh". The bewildering fishing homework lessons throughout I can only imagine were used to fluff up the word count, because there is nothing else of substance here. Spewing facts just for the sake of it is a telltale sign of AI. Where are the literary devices? The Old Man and The Sea is referenced a few times; do you know that book is often criticized for being TOO symbolic? What are we symbolizing in Bills? Nothing. When the flying fish started dying on the deck I though wow, are we actually doing something here? Are we alluding to something? Foreshadowing? No. It just happens, and we move on, and we smile in various ways.
I was willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt in the beginning. I was like let me not jump to conclusions before giving them a chance. I shouldn't've. I was in the middle of typing a fair and honest review with some friendly tips on pacing and foreshadowing. But I realized it was all for nothing and I was wasting my time, because the author is a soulless machine.
Go ahead, read the first chapter, I dare you. I double dog dare you to read the whole thing like I did, all ten chapters, and tell me it's not AI. Tell me a real human wrote out all those descriptions of smiles. You know who's not smiling? Me.
November 20, 2025
Excellent read
Bills is a captivating blend of big-game fishing and unexpected romance. The author’s vivid descriptions make you feel like you’re right there in the boat, chasing massive marlin under the sun-soaked skies of Destin, FL. It’s an easy, immersive read that leaves you smelling the salt air and craving just one more chapter.
Bills is a captivating blend of big-game fishing and unexpected romance. The author’s vivid descriptions make you feel like you’re right there in the boat, chasing massive marlin under the sun-soaked skies of Destin, FL. It’s an easy, immersive read that leaves you smelling the salt air and craving just one more chapter.
May 9, 2026
As summer approaches and you want a well written, fun , fast paced read, get this book! I never realized how fascinating marlin fishing is out in the gulf. And how much prize money is on the line. I think all the characters are well developed….. except for someone at the end didn’t get their comeuppance! Read the book it great!
June 4, 2026
This is a wonderful adventure, and definitely worth the read! It starts off a tad slow, but quickly builds pace. If you want to learn more about Destin, Florida, or about the behind the scenes of bill fishing, I absolutely encourage you to give this book a try!
May 9, 2026
Very fun story that kept the pages turning! There’s a little something for everyone throughout the book and I definitely enjoyed reading it. If you give it a shot; you won’t be disappointed!
May 10, 2026
I enjoyed this book, educational ( fishing for the big money fish aspect ) and exciting !
May 21, 2026
I was able to talk to the author and bought a signed copy at Seaside which was cool! I actually enjoyed this book more than I thought I would in the beginning. It is a lotttt of fishy talk lol, but I actually ended up liking it as the book went on, because it majorly helped me understand and paint a picture in my head during the tournaments. I was expecting more romance based on what the author described, but I enjoyed the fishing parts more anyways to be honest.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews