1980: A Year in the Life of Keith Diamond: A 1980s Time Travel Adventure

by Jason Ayres

Relive the 1980s in this rip-roaring time travel adventure from bestselling author, Jason Ayres.
As the 2020s dawn, Keith Diamond, the self-styled ‘Diamond Geezer’, works as a shock jock presenter at controversial radio station, ChatFM. When the station comes under new management, Keith finds himself surplus to requirements. His employment prospects look bleak until a stranger gives him a bracelet that catapults him forty years back in time to when he was a young journalist. Soaking up the culture, Keith immerses himself in the music scene, going to see legendary bands like The Clash, Blondie, and The Specials, but soon there are more important tasks at hand.

Working in Fleet Street, Keith finds himself thrust into the news stories of the day. These range from the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper to the death of John Lennon, plus the world’s obsession with “Who Shot JR?” From a personal perspective, 1980 is a pivotal year on which both his and many of his friends’ destinies depend. Can he rectify past mistakes, avert disasters, and reshape both his future and that of others?

Join Keith, as he revisits the culture and events of 1980, in this humorous and thought-provoking time travel story.

1980 is part of the anthology series, A Year in the Life. Each book revisits a different aspect of life in the 1980s, and each story can be enjoyed standalone.
Readers are loving 1980:‘Really encapsulates the period - you almost feel as if you are there.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘It's great to go down memory lane with this book. Recommended.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘My favourite Jason Ayres book yet. Imaginative and enjoyable, I didn’t want to put it down!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this book; the plot and the characters were first class. I never used to be into time travel books but Mr Ayres has changed that for me.’ Goodreads Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Time Travel, Fiction

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2024

About the author

Jason Ayres fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a full-time author when he left the corporate world behind and published his first novel in 2014. Since then, he has written twenty more books, delighting readers with his signature mix of humour, engaging characters, and imaginative storytelling.

His character-driven tales focus on ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations—whether travelling to an uncertain future, revisiting their past, or exploring alternate timelines. Blending elements of sci-fi, romance, and everyday life, his stories offer something for everyone, with relatable characters at their heart.

Jason’s latest series, set in the 1980s, follows present-day protagonists who, down on their luck, get a chance to relive a pivotal year from their past. 1980, 1981, and 1982 are available now, with more to come.

Want to know more about Jason? - You can find him at:

https://www.jasonayres.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/TheTimeBubble/

https://twitter.com/TheTimeBubble/

Reviews

[Quartknee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love the premise and was hoping this could be a good series to go through the autumnal months. Sadly, it's way too woke. The whole Me-Too bit with the evil boss was a bit much - not in an over the top fun sort of way - more like the insufferable man-hating condemnation way that's become far too acceptable these days.

The time jump convention, while far from unique, was presented in a clear and believable manner. The initial fish out of water scenes were fun but then Keith began to echo too much condemnation for the sexist environment of his old office. As an ex-smoker, I can't be around smokers without some level of disgust so it felt too forced that Keith was more upset over the sexism than the constant immersion in smoke filled environments. It came off as preachy self hatred. When it felt as if the earlier political diatribes and woke attitudes were overpowering the prose, I bailed. DNF

[Kirsten McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stayed up well past my bedtime finishing this! Loved the 1980s historical nods and the journey of self discovery that Keith Diamond went on, and adored the ending. Love a good time slip book, and this one meets all my needs. Already bought the next book in the series.

[steven cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good idea not well executed

What can I say, idea is good and the
story maybe too simplistic.

I never took to the main character, always seemed selfish, book doesn't really flow.

[tony braddon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What novel and interesting idea on time travel good pieces of nostalgia that I remember from that time
Good characters and a good storyline it’s well worth reading the series I am and I am loving it

[C I KESZEI · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really promising start to a new series

Another great work from Mr Ayres, as expected.
A fairly unpleasant character gets a second chance and takes us back to an era that a lot of people will recognise. And reminisce with either distain or a sly grin.

If you enjoy any of Mr Ayres's previous work, then this is for you.

Looking forward to the next installment.

[Glenn Younger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read and light fun in 1980

What this story might lack in creating an emotional roller coaster for the reader, it makes up for it by being an easy breezy read. The dialogue is good; the exposition is smooth; supporting characters are unique; and the main character starts off sufficiently horrible to give him lots of space for growth.

Take a broken down misogynistic radio announcer whose style is provocatively and often gratuitously confrontational. Give him a mysterious bracelet that sends his consciousness 40 years back in time into his younger body. Tell him to fix things. What things, he asks? He’ll have to figure it out as he goes. The mysterious bracelet will guide him.

Fun premise, right? Imagine being in your younger body and earlier timeline with your 62 year old life experience. There’s no way you’d do things the same. No way.

This book is fun for (re)visiting 1980 London as well as seeing how Keith manages to make his way through his old times with new eyes. You won’t cry and you might not laugh out loud, but you will enjoy the ride.

Off to read the next one…

[John Hinchliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have listened to the audio version of this book.
Imagine being given a chance to go back 40 years and tweak your actions for a whole year, totally changing your future. That's what happens to Keith Diamond. Well written and entertainingly humorous from start to finish. I like the differences between what the bracelet allowed and didn't. Easy to imagine the frustration when not allowed to make some changes that would have been fantastic. Peter J Matthews narration was excellent and brought the whole story to life, highly recommended. Looking forward to future instalments.

[Gene · Rating 2 out of 5]

06/20/2025 - after reading dozens of these types of stories, I've found that I just don't have any enthusiasm to invest in this one. Part of it might be because it's set in England and requires a bit of knowledge about the area and what it was like in 1980. But I think that a large part has to do with the protagonist not being a very sympathetic character. I'd like to think that by the end of the book he's undergone some redemption arc, but the book is just too slow and boring for me to take that chance, so I'm bailing at 26%

[Steve Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

1980: A Year in the Life of Keith Diamond

I enjoyed this book. Especially the way the Diamond Geezer was made to look at his lifestyle and correct his earlier mistakes. I just wish I could do the same with mine.
I also enjoyed the era the book was set in as I grew up in those times, and they were just as described, both bad and good.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Fraser Aberdeen

It was good but not as good as 1981
Didn’t mean to read the second one first …I just liked the sound of it more.
I loved it so much I bought this one and enjoyed it
I feel you don’t have to read them in order.
I will definitely be reading the next book in series

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a ton of time travel/relive your earlier life trope books, this one is decently good, better than The Time Bubble I thought (Time Bubble was Ayres' first book 10 years ago, so glad to see his writing has gotten more polished). Helps if you grew up in the 70s/80s like I did! Interested enough to go on to the next in the series.

[John T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I know it’s all been done before but this is still a good yarn.

I do wonder how a guy who’s been an arse for 40 years could suddenly flip in a single year, and also how an A Bomb equates with saving his mate, but maybe I’m being picky (I have given the book 4 moons after all).

Onwards and upwards to 1981….

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a great thrill ride

I wasn't sure what to expect but I found this to be a great story that kept me guessing from month to month. Definitely a story I will keep in the back of my mind for reflection when serious changes in life crop up. I suggest it for anyone who likes a little mystery in their everyday.

[Andy Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

1980 was a very good year

A great book. Big fan of The Time Bubble books and this spin off is just as.good. I look forward to 1981. By which I mean the book. I can't travel in time. Not yet anyway!

[Ray Smillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite good is as kind as I will be about this. I expected more having read some excellent novels in this field so maybe my expectations were too high? I think I have read the first couple of the time bubble series but the fact I am not 100% sure suggests I thought they were only quite good as well.

[Anthony Goord · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love time travel books including all the 'Time Bubble' ones. Enjoyed this one although some parts felt a bit rushed and others brushed over too quickly. Overall though another winner from Jason Ayres.

[Abrah J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was about time travel (which I love) and the main character happens to travel back to 1980, the start of my favorite decade.

It was interesting to watch the growth of the character as well as to recall how much has changed in the world in 40+ years.

[maria arcara · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good one

Interesting twist on time travel, with just a year in the past and a bracelet to help shape some of the changes being made. I always like a good redemption story and Keith's definitely was one. I'm sincerely looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Maria Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. I loved how Keith protected Nathalie the second time around. How he and Rachel had a life and two girls together. How he realized that by going back, he was there to make things better for others, rather than himself. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Pete Ffrench · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun sort of read, not really time travel more along the lines of Big but interesting to find how it panned out with Keith getting rewarded for improving himself in the past. It would have been nice to know where the bracelet came from but that's just a detail.

[Melanie Sears · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the twist on time travel in this book. Placing the character in his own body 40 years earlier and having him fix the timeline and his own future worked. There was an emotional component missing. I could tell it was written by a man.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read every book by Jason Ayres and this one doesn't dissapoint. Read it in one day and couldn't put it down. 4 stars.

[Susan McReynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Not my Jason Ayres overall favorite, but I enjoyed it. Nice afternoon read. Will probably indulge in 1981 as well.

[Phil Altimas · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book, the plot and the characters where first class
i never used to be into time travel books but mr ayres has changed that for me

[Brian Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and fast paced

My favorite Jason Ayres book yet. Imaginative and enjoyable, I didn’t want to put it down. Well done Mr. Ayres!

[dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

Really enjoyed this storyline and definitely looking forward to more books. The possibilities are endless with this theme. Well written and great for reminiscing.

[Mrs T Shaban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great time travel story

Loved this book, so easy to read and immerse yourself in. Characters were good and I can’t wait to read the follow on from this one.

[P D Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read

Read this after the second one I thought it was better but they are both good really just different topics covered looking forward to 1982 one

[Sean Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy much of Jason's time travel stuff, and although the predestination of the bracelet took away some of the excitement here, this was still a solid and interesting entry in his collection.

[lorraine aitchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start

Thoroughly enjoyed and ready for the next instalment.
Witty and absorbing
Comical and took me back 40 yrs, a real memory jogger