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1985: A Year in the Life of Robbie James: A 1980s Time Travel Adventure
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.
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.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2025
44 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Jason Ayres
39 books108 followersJason 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/
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/
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 31, 2025
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!
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!
January 4, 2026
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!!!!
January 3, 2026
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.
January 2, 2026
Kudos to Jason!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, his 1980s books all have been very enjoyable. Looking forward to 1986 coming in April.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, his 1980s books all have been very enjoyable. Looking forward to 1986 coming in April.
January 2, 2026
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.
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.
January 3, 2026
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.
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.
January 4, 2026
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.
Amazing, loved it so much. Can't wait for the next one now. Makes me want to go back in time.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews