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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.
- GenresFiction
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2025
About the author
Jason Ayres
40 books115 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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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 10, 2026
I read the first of these and became hooked. Such a pleasant set and really enjoyed them.
Read the lot in less than a week
Now I’m waiting for 1986. 😀
Read the lot in less than a week
Now I’m waiting for 1986. 😀
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!
February 3, 2026
A Great Series
These time travel novels are always amusing and entertaining, especially to those of us who fondly remember the1980s. Very enjoyable.
These time travel novels are always amusing and entertaining, especially to those of us who fondly remember the1980s. Very enjoyable.
March 9, 2026
1985 : A Day In The Life Of Robbie James by Jason Ayres
Rating : 4⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Pages : 280
Duration : 1 Day
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It's 1985, the year of the Spectrum car thingy, Live Aid and Robbie James' year of regret and wrong turns.
In 2025 Robbie is a put upon computer whizz-kid, are you still considered a whizz-kid at 57? Stuck in a unfulfilled job under a horrendous boss with a non existent social life.
With thanks to the magic bracelet he is whisked back to 1985 to get credit, save his mum from heartbreak and win the girl not to mention get tickets to live aid.
And with a support cast consisting of characters from the previous books it made this feel the most rounded of the series so far and I absolutely loved it.
I absolutely flew through this one, helped by a very quiet day in the office but for me this really hit the spot, fun, entertaining and easy going absolutely what I needed on a boring day
For reference I was 3 in 1985
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You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/
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Rating : 4⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Pages : 280
Duration : 1 Day
----------------
It's 1985, the year of the Spectrum car thingy, Live Aid and Robbie James' year of regret and wrong turns.
In 2025 Robbie is a put upon computer whizz-kid, are you still considered a whizz-kid at 57? Stuck in a unfulfilled job under a horrendous boss with a non existent social life.
With thanks to the magic bracelet he is whisked back to 1985 to get credit, save his mum from heartbreak and win the girl not to mention get tickets to live aid.
And with a support cast consisting of characters from the previous books it made this feel the most rounded of the series so far and I absolutely loved it.
I absolutely flew through this one, helped by a very quiet day in the office but for me this really hit the spot, fun, entertaining and easy going absolutely what I needed on a boring day
For reference I was 3 in 1985
----------------
You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/
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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 7, 2026
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! 😝😝
🙂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! 😝😝
March 17, 2026
Another episode of the same winning formula - well worth a read
We know the formula in these books by now and this continues in the same vein.
Robbie inherits the bracelet and uses it to deal with his past/future life issues. As usual, there's a couple of unexpected flies in the ointment, but where would the fun be without them?
It was good to see old characters pop into this story, some flirting appearances, others more involved.
And just who is Brian??????
Looking forward to 1986.
We know the formula in these books by now and this continues in the same vein.
Robbie inherits the bracelet and uses it to deal with his past/future life issues. As usual, there's a couple of unexpected flies in the ointment, but where would the fun be without them?
It was good to see old characters pop into this story, some flirting appearances, others more involved.
And just who is Brian??????
Looking forward to 1986.
January 21, 2026
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.
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.
January 26, 2026
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.
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.
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.
February 23, 2026
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!
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.
January 10, 2026
fantastic
Absolutely loved this story especially the build up of the euphoria of live aid ,that’s where I’d go given the opportunity
Absolutely loved this story especially the build up of the euphoria of live aid ,that’s where I’d go given the opportunity
January 19, 2026
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
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
March 18, 2026
Interesting but just not the quality of Keith A Pearson and The 86 Fix.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews