1985: A Year in the Life of Robbie James: A 1980s Time Travel Adventure

by Jason Ayres

England, 1985: Sent back in time to the year he lost everything, Robbie James is determined to turn the tables on the man who stole his future.
In 2024, Robbie James is a brilliant IT developer who has just created an AI so advanced it can improve itself without human help. The result? He’s engineered himself out of a job.

The man handing him his cards is Toby Fleming, a lifelong thorn in his side. So when Robbie is offered the chance to travel back forty years in time, he’s eager to settle the score.

In 1985, teenage Robbie finds himself back at Splat!, a thriving video games and lifestyle magazine, working for Toby once again. But this time he knows what’s coming. Can he reclaim the groundbreaking game that should have made his name, save the girl who slipped through his fingers, and finally make it to the gig he always regretted missing — Live Aid?

1985 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.

Genres: Fiction

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 31, 2025

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

[Gail Souter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgic

What better time to read this book but on New Year's Eve! Once again the recipient of the bracelet goes back in time to right the wrongs that happened then! This book followed the exact same format as the others so it was rather predictable but going back to the 80s is always a pleasure! If only it wasn't fiction!

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Series

These time travel novels are always amusing and entertaining, especially to those of us who fondly remember the1980s. Very enjoyable.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I was waiting for this to become available and devoured it as soon as it was. Robbie has been given the opportunity to return to 1985 and rewrite his life, with the knowledge of what he could have done better. Of course he grabs this chance and makes the best of it. The regrets he’s had are able to be avoided, and it is really interesting and topical hearing about his work with AI in the present timeline before he heads back to the past. His horrible tosser of a boss is just horrendous, and it is lovely to see him get his comeuppance over a period of time. I seriously love these books. They are enjoyable, they evoke joyful memories of the 80s (which are only a few years ago!!!!), and there is such a satisfying ending to them. There’s nothing I don’t love about these books. Keep on writing!!!!

[Matthew Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome addition to an awesome series of books.

🙂The very epitome of un-put-downable. Every one of the books in the 1980s series is amazing, and they keep getting better. We must be similar ages because reading these stories is like reliving my own past. Your incredible writing awakens memories I forgot I had forgotten, and it brought a massive smile to my face when we meet some familiar characters.
Awesome work mate. Now pull your finger out and get the next one finished! 😝😝

[Mrs T. Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great year!

I loved the way that these books are now connecting with characters from other years events and discuss some events from that era, although my memories differ from the books central character. For those readers who lived within this era, they may desire more memories. For others it's a gentle running narrative.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splat - another great book landed..

By Jason Ayres, fantastic, read it from cover to cover as quickly as I could. A fantastic time travel book, full of twists and turns, you will find yourself reliving the iconic moments of 1985 and cheering on the team as Splat to deal with the consequences of Toby's ego. I love this series of books.

[Victoria Farrelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful read full of nostalgia from a time in my youth. Really loved all the characters and how you manage to weave old characters from other books into this on. Can't wait for the next book.

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid entry in this series. I really kind of like these stories, written from the POV of a Gen Xer, looking back and thinking about what you would do differently if you could live the 80s over again. Like going to Live Aid!

[Edward J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kudos to Jason!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, his 1980s books all have been very enjoyable. Looking forward to 1986 coming in April.

[Kerry Seward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another satisfying page turner

You've done it yet again Jason! Read in just a few days. I absolutely love this series and I can't wait for the next one.

[Greg Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better.
I can’t remember the last time I read a complete book in one sitting but I just couldn’t put this one down.
Bravo Mr. Ayres.

[Melanie Summers · Rating 5 out of 5]

1985 was well worth the wait

Amazing, loved it so much. Can't wait for the next one now. Makes me want to go back in time.

[Graham Busson · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic

Absolutely loved this story especially the build up of the euphoria of live aid ,that’s where I’d go given the opportunity

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Fraser Aberdeen

Brilliant
Yet another page turner
Stories just get better and better.
Have read the full series so far and can’t wait for the next book