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1984: A Year in the Life of Nobby Clarke: A 1980s Time Travel Adventure
London, 1984: For a gambler, it’s a dream come true, a bracelet that enables travel back in time, but it comes with a catch.
Robin “Nobby” Clarke is a lifelong punter who has frittered away his life gambling on cards and horses. With the next race or turn of the card taking priority over all else, he never found time for a career or family. Now, it seems too late, until the chance comes to rewind the clock.
But there’s one key rule; he can’t use his knowledge of the future to make himself rich. And back in 1984, he has bigger problems anyway. His family business is struggling, his father is in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and his girlfriend has just dumped him.
Vowing to put things right, he throws himself back into 1980s London life, but what will he do when he comes up against local villain Frankie “The Fillet” Fowler?
Join Nobby on his action-packed adventure in the year that Band Aid came together to feed the world.
1984 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.
Robin “Nobby” Clarke is a lifelong punter who has frittered away his life gambling on cards and horses. With the next race or turn of the card taking priority over all else, he never found time for a career or family. Now, it seems too late, until the chance comes to rewind the clock.
But there’s one key rule; he can’t use his knowledge of the future to make himself rich. And back in 1984, he has bigger problems anyway. His family business is struggling, his father is in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and his girlfriend has just dumped him.
Vowing to put things right, he throws himself back into 1980s London life, but what will he do when he comes up against local villain Frankie “The Fillet” Fowler?
Join Nobby on his action-packed adventure in the year that Band Aid came together to feed the world.
1984 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.
- GenresFictionTime Travel
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2025
About the author
Jason Ayres
180 books122 followersJason Ayres is a bestselling British time travel author whose books combine humour, nostalgia, romance, drama and imaginative science fiction.
Since publishing his first novel in 2014, he has written twenty-four books and sold more than 250,000 copies. His character-driven stories follow ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations, whether travelling into the future, returning to the past, exploring parallel universes, or being given a second chance to change their lives.
Jason is best known for The Time Bubble, a complete fifteen-book British time travel series spanning the past, future and alternative timelines, and A Year in the Life, a bestselling anthology of standalone time travel novels set in 1980s Britain. He is also the author of The Ronnie and Bernard Adventures, which blend British comedy, mystery, horror and time travel.
His nostalgic 1980s fiction is particularly popular with readers who remember the decade, drawing on British music, television, popular culture and everyday life. Many of his books are available on Kindle Unlimited, as well as in paperback and audiobook.
Find out more at:
https://www.jasonayres.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/TheTimeBubble/
Since publishing his first novel in 2014, he has written twenty-four books and sold more than 250,000 copies. His character-driven stories follow ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations, whether travelling into the future, returning to the past, exploring parallel universes, or being given a second chance to change their lives.
Jason is best known for The Time Bubble, a complete fifteen-book British time travel series spanning the past, future and alternative timelines, and A Year in the Life, a bestselling anthology of standalone time travel novels set in 1980s Britain. He is also the author of The Ronnie and Bernard Adventures, which blend British comedy, mystery, horror and time travel.
His nostalgic 1980s fiction is particularly popular with readers who remember the decade, drawing on British music, television, popular culture and everyday life. Many of his books are available on Kindle Unlimited, as well as in paperback and audiobook.
Find out more at:
https://www.jasonayres.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/TheTimeBubble/
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 19, 2025
how I wish I could go back to the 80s knowing what I know now and to see my dad again
September 9, 2025
An entertaining story
I have been reading this series and looking forward to each new book. A very enjoyable spin to the idea of time travel.
I have been reading this series and looking forward to each new book. A very enjoyable spin to the idea of time travel.
September 2, 2025
another cracking book in this series! l loved all the "dodgy " characters in this book such a great tale of how Nobby turned his life around.
February 23, 2026
1984 : A Year In The Life Of Nobby Clarke by Jason Ayres
Rating : 3 ⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Pages : 285
Duration : 2 days
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Continuing on with Jason Ayres' 1980's time travel series, this time we are returned to the gambling dens and card schools of 1984 and gambling addict and general down in their luck Robin (Nobby) Clarke. For reference in 1984 I was 2 and tragically I don't really remember anything before 1994.
Armed with the magical bracelet to lead him to make amends and better his lot in life as well as fix relationships and right previous wrongs.
Most of these books kind of revolve around a theme as such, well this one is betting, a theme that I know absolutely nothing about and more importantly don't wish to know about, I have an all or nothing personality and knowing that way lays to nothing but ruin.
This year's book borders on the superman issues, you know the bit where the main character pulls out amazing things and does it all for a good cause, that's not necessarily a bad thing though and this book kind of gets away with it, I mean it's pretty much the whole point of these books.
A nice and easy read and not my favourite in the series but still good, a great way to spend a work day (yes I read on my work computer, it's a hard job but someone's got to do it!)
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You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/
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Rating : 3 ⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Pages : 285
Duration : 2 days
----------------
Continuing on with Jason Ayres' 1980's time travel series, this time we are returned to the gambling dens and card schools of 1984 and gambling addict and general down in their luck Robin (Nobby) Clarke. For reference in 1984 I was 2 and tragically I don't really remember anything before 1994.
Armed with the magical bracelet to lead him to make amends and better his lot in life as well as fix relationships and right previous wrongs.
Most of these books kind of revolve around a theme as such, well this one is betting, a theme that I know absolutely nothing about and more importantly don't wish to know about, I have an all or nothing personality and knowing that way lays to nothing but ruin.
This year's book borders on the superman issues, you know the bit where the main character pulls out amazing things and does it all for a good cause, that's not necessarily a bad thing though and this book kind of gets away with it, I mean it's pretty much the whole point of these books.
A nice and easy read and not my favourite in the series but still good, a great way to spend a work day (yes I read on my work computer, it's a hard job but someone's got to do it!)
----------------
You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/
----------------
June 2, 2026
“London, 1984: For a gambler, it’s a dream come true, a bracelet that enables travel back in time, but one that comes with a catch.
Robin “Nobby” Clarke is a lifelong punter who has frittered away his life gambling on cards and horses. With the next race or turn of the card taking priority over all else, he never found time for a career or family. Now, it seems too late, until the chance comes to rewind the clock.
But there’s one key rule; he can’t use his knowledge of the future to make himself rich. And back in 1984, he has bigger problems anyway. His family business is struggling, his father is in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and Molly, the girl he lost after choosing gambling over her once too often, wants nothing more to do with him.
Vowing to put things right, he throws himself back into 1980s London life, but what will he do when he comes up against local villain Frankie “The Fillet” Fowler?
Join Nobby on his action-packed adventure in the year that Band Aid came together to feed the world.”
Robin “Nobby” Clarke is a lifelong punter who has frittered away his life gambling on cards and horses. With the next race or turn of the card taking priority over all else, he never found time for a career or family. Now, it seems too late, until the chance comes to rewind the clock.
But there’s one key rule; he can’t use his knowledge of the future to make himself rich. And back in 1984, he has bigger problems anyway. His family business is struggling, his father is in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and Molly, the girl he lost after choosing gambling over her once too often, wants nothing more to do with him.
Vowing to put things right, he throws himself back into 1980s London life, but what will he do when he comes up against local villain Frankie “The Fillet” Fowler?
Join Nobby on his action-packed adventure in the year that Band Aid came together to feed the world.”
September 26, 2025
About average for the series. I think I didn't enjoy this one as much as I COULD have because of the emphasis on the betting details, especially horse racing. I feel like you if you aren't familiar with how it works, there's just a lot of detail that will go over your head.
That said, there were two things I liked a lot. First was the mention of Torvill and Dean winning the 1984 Winter Olympic ice dance event in Sarajevo. I'm a big figure skating fan and a huge fan of T&D in particular. I know what a massive deal it was in the UK at the time. The second was the end of the year and Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas". This ending in the book was just great, it really, really brought back memories of 1984.
Looking forward to 1985!
That said, there were two things I liked a lot. First was the mention of Torvill and Dean winning the 1984 Winter Olympic ice dance event in Sarajevo. I'm a big figure skating fan and a huge fan of T&D in particular. I know what a massive deal it was in the UK at the time. The second was the end of the year and Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas". This ending in the book was just great, it really, really brought back memories of 1984.
Looking forward to 1985!
February 19, 2026
1984, A Year in the Life of Nobby Clarke,
Brilliant, that’s the only word that fits. I’ve enjoyed all the previous books in the series, but 1984: A Year in the Life of Nobby Clarke easily outshines them all. Jason Ayres delivers a fantastic story with great characters, sharp humour, and situations that are genuinely memorable. The 1980s setting is spot on, Nobby’s journey in this instalment is especially engaging and a real joy to listen to. Peter J Matthews’ narration is outstanding and takes an already great book to another level. His performance brings the story to life and makes this a truly brilliant listen. Highly recommended, a superb audiobook from start to finish.
Brilliant, that’s the only word that fits. I’ve enjoyed all the previous books in the series, but 1984: A Year in the Life of Nobby Clarke easily outshines them all. Jason Ayres delivers a fantastic story with great characters, sharp humour, and situations that are genuinely memorable. The 1980s setting is spot on, Nobby’s journey in this instalment is especially engaging and a real joy to listen to. Peter J Matthews’ narration is outstanding and takes an already great book to another level. His performance brings the story to life and makes this a truly brilliant listen. Highly recommended, a superb audiobook from start to finish.
September 8, 2025
Another imaginative narrative from my favourite Sci-Fi author
I enjoyed all the books in this series and this one was different with a character familiar from the time bubble, exploring how a year lived with hindsight changed a whole life. It was also different as Nobby kept the bracelet and his time travel secret previous characters in the series had confided in at least one person
I enjoyed all the books in this series and this one was different with a character familiar from the time bubble, exploring how a year lived with hindsight changed a whole life. It was also different as Nobby kept the bracelet and his time travel secret previous characters in the series had confided in at least one person
September 28, 2025
Another great year in the 1980's series
All of these books have been great so far and this one doesn't disappoint.
Nobby has so many wrongs to right that I'm surprised he didn't need two years for all this. If I am harsh, and I am, the only slight surprise was with the biggest test. I was expecting another twist or two in that one, but it didn't diminish from the story as a whole.
Too on 1985.
All of these books have been great so far and this one doesn't disappoint.
Nobby has so many wrongs to right that I'm surprised he didn't need two years for all this. If I am harsh, and I am, the only slight surprise was with the biggest test. I was expecting another twist or two in that one, but it didn't diminish from the story as a whole.
Too on 1985.
October 10, 2025
A trip down memory lane
A great book for those of us who were teenagers or adult in 1984! Very nostalgic and funny at times,especially when Eddie was dealing in stolen goods with Derek from Peckham,whose brother was going to collect them in his van! It was great to live vicariously through Nobby for a few hours! I also learned how the betting system works now!
A great book for those of us who were teenagers or adult in 1984! Very nostalgic and funny at times,especially when Eddie was dealing in stolen goods with Derek from Peckham,whose brother was going to collect them in his van! It was great to live vicariously through Nobby for a few hours! I also learned how the betting system works now!
February 12, 2026
very entertaining
I've been enjoying the whole series, Nobby's story included. I'm not a gambler, so that plot line was interesting - seeing through the eyes of someone who very much is into the quest to beat the odds. The other plot lines were very good and kept me engrossed to the end. Looking forward to the next book!
I've been enjoying the whole series, Nobby's story included. I'm not a gambler, so that plot line was interesting - seeing through the eyes of someone who very much is into the quest to beat the odds. The other plot lines were very good and kept me engrossed to the end. Looking forward to the next book!
September 22, 2025
2.5 stars. meh. Not sure why I bought this book. This one, like the others before it, is just a dry recitation of events during a year in which the MC travels back in time to correct his life errors using a super magic speshul Mary-Sue bracelet that tells him everything to do.
October 6, 2025
This belongs on the Hallmark channel
The guy couldn’t lose as long as he listened and avoided the greed of betting. And he did just that, helping folks as he went along. So glad not to have lived in his crooked neighborhood. Everyone had an angle. So sad.
The guy couldn’t lose as long as he listened and avoided the greed of betting. And he did just that, helping folks as he went along. So glad not to have lived in his crooked neighborhood. Everyone had an angle. So sad.
October 9, 2025
Susan Fraser Aberdeen
Another page turner
Love these books
Can’t wait for the next book in the series
Jason you have a fantastic gift
Keep writing these and I’ll keep reading them 👍
Another page turner
Love these books
Can’t wait for the next book in the series
Jason you have a fantastic gift
Keep writing these and I’ll keep reading them 👍
March 29, 2026
Another exceptional romp through historical 1980s England. Superb!!! Loved all the characters and the jeopardy. I know more about betting than I ever knew before too!
Onto the next book in the series now.
Onto the next book in the series now.
June 9, 2026
a light and fluffy read
Totally daft but good fun
One of those books where you have charged through chapters without realising, good fun and one that especially resonates with those of us were around in the eighties
Totally daft but good fun
One of those books where you have charged through chapters without realising, good fun and one that especially resonates with those of us were around in the eighties
September 12, 2025
Another great read in the series. The story has lots of twists and keeps you enthralled
October 3, 2025
love this series of books, perfect easy reading palate cleansers in between my usual psychological thrillers!
October 22, 2025
Interesting concept
I definitely enjoy this series but the gambling aspects of this story didn't appeal to me as much as some of the other book.
I definitely enjoy this series but the gambling aspects of this story didn't appeal to me as much as some of the other book.
May 24, 2026
Really enjoyed it and I am definitely going to read the others in the series
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews