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1986: A Year in the Life of Lucy Hart: A 1980s Time Travel Adventure
Surrey, 1986: Sent back in time after a lifetime trapped in a loveless marriage, Lucy Hart is determined to find the courage to take back control of her life.
In 2025, reeling from the death of her husband, Lucy must face the truth that she has wasted forty-five years with a man who never truly loved her. At his funeral, shocking revelations come to light, including affairs, a secret love child, and a will that tears her family apart.
Given the chance to return to the past, Lucy finds herself back in 1986, with two small children and a husband whose ambitions leave no room for hers.
This time, she refuses to play the dutiful wife and begins creating her own range of natural soaps and shampoos, an idea that soon blossoms into a thriving business. As success transforms her world, her marriage breaks down, and a new man enters her life, Lucy must decide how far she’s willing to go to secure her freedom.
Join Lucy on her uplifting journey in this time travel tale, full of romance, resilience, and reinvention.
1986 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 2025, reeling from the death of her husband, Lucy must face the truth that she has wasted forty-five years with a man who never truly loved her. At his funeral, shocking revelations come to light, including affairs, a secret love child, and a will that tears her family apart.
Given the chance to return to the past, Lucy finds herself back in 1986, with two small children and a husband whose ambitions leave no room for hers.
This time, she refuses to play the dutiful wife and begins creating her own range of natural soaps and shampoos, an idea that soon blossoms into a thriving business. As success transforms her world, her marriage breaks down, and a new man enters her life, Lucy must decide how far she’s willing to go to secure her freedom.
Join Lucy on her uplifting journey in this time travel tale, full of romance, resilience, and reinvention.
1986 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 April 30, 2026
About the author
Jason Ayres
181 books124 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 7, 2026
I’m addicted. I admit it!
May 2, 2026
Never Mind Time Travel! You Will Lose Time Reading This Book From Start To Finish In One Go!
Mr Ayers, you have penned another masterpiece. If you lived through the 80’s, this will transport you back. I’ve read all of the books in this series and I have laughed, cried and relived important events from the era. I love the continuation of the storyline, especially Barry who really needs his own book! Need to check if there is one.
I would recommend reading the previous books, if you haven’t. The only problem now will be the wait for 1987.
I have never been so jealous of a fictional character. As a struggling online shop owner, I truly need the bracelet!
This book will leave you considering your life choices, a sign of good literature.
Thank you Mr Ayers.
Mr Ayers, you have penned another masterpiece. If you lived through the 80’s, this will transport you back. I’ve read all of the books in this series and I have laughed, cried and relived important events from the era. I love the continuation of the storyline, especially Barry who really needs his own book! Need to check if there is one.
I would recommend reading the previous books, if you haven’t. The only problem now will be the wait for 1987.
I have never been so jealous of a fictional character. As a struggling online shop owner, I truly need the bracelet!
This book will leave you considering your life choices, a sign of good literature.
Thank you Mr Ayers.
May 1, 2026
Loved it, another brilliant story in this series. The characters are great and just didn't want to put it down.
May 19, 2026
I like this series of time travel books. I'd love to think how I could change my life by going back in time30-40 years.
June 4, 2026
Really enjoyed this , read it in a day , easy read.
May 4, 2026
Yet again, a supremely satisfying journey that comes from having the chance to go back and do it again, with hindsight. So much of this book I loved, including the business model of Lucy’s Bliss store. At first I wondered whether she was going back too far, but the timeline was perfect. It was even satisfying how she resolved her marriage to Simon the Twat. Just a fabulous feel good story. Can’t wait for the next one.
May 8, 2026
Susan Fraser Aberdeen
Another brilliant book in this series
Read in 2 days
Just couldn’t put it down
Can’t wait for next instalment
Another brilliant book in this series
Read in 2 days
Just couldn’t put it down
Can’t wait for next instalment
May 7, 2026
the best one yet
Mr Ayers has excelled himself here - fun, heart-warming and unputdownable. Roll on1987 perhaps my favourite year from the 80’s…
Mr Ayers has excelled himself here - fun, heart-warming and unputdownable. Roll on1987 perhaps my favourite year from the 80’s…
May 5, 2026
another fantastic tale!
Well, Jason, you did it again! They just keep getting better and better. So far I don’t have a favorite weight yes I do. They’re all my favorites. I could not put this one down though. Read it in two days. Now I have nothing to read. I’m just gonna blame that on you because you wrote so well I read too quick.
Well, Jason, you did it again! They just keep getting better and better. So far I don’t have a favorite weight yes I do. They’re all my favorites. I could not put this one down though. Read it in two days. Now I have nothing to read. I’m just gonna blame that on you because you wrote so well I read too quick.
May 6, 2026
loved it!
I love this series and this one was worth the wait. Great characters and so many memories ~ bring on 1987!
I love this series and this one was worth the wait. Great characters and so many memories ~ bring on 1987!
May 5, 2026
I really enjoyed this book, great read!
May 5, 2026
What a good read!
Jason has done it again, likable main characters and a story that grabs you quickly! Already can't wait for the next one!
Jason has done it again, likable main characters and a story that grabs you quickly! Already can't wait for the next one!
May 5, 2026
The latest edition in a fantastic series of books. Keep it up Jason!
May 23, 2026
1986 A Year In The Life Of Lucy Hart by Jason Ayres
Rating : 3.5⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Released : 30th April 2026
Pages : 287
Duration : 4 days
----------------
We return to the 80's in the latest book in Jason Ayres time travelling series, this time focusing on Lucy Harts return to 1986, a world of dodgy clothes, big hair but banging music.
Back in 2025 Lucy was in a loveless marriage, thankfully her husband had just died, don't worry he most definitely deserved it. But at the funeral a bombshell is dropped, he had farthered a illegitimate child and what's more amended his Will and left half of everything to his illegitimate daughter, what a stinker.
Thankfully Lucy has a chance to travel back 40 years, right some wrongs and set herself on a different course.
Again these books are a hidden delight for me, fun, quick and usually a good look back at a year that I'm too young to remember 😁
Don't get me wrong, they aren't perfect, there's bits that don't always flow like I feel they could but they are fun and scratch an itch every time I read one.
I'm looking forward to 1987
Ps I was 4 in 86'
----------------
You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/
----------------
Rating : 3.5⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Released : 30th April 2026
Pages : 287
Duration : 4 days
----------------
We return to the 80's in the latest book in Jason Ayres time travelling series, this time focusing on Lucy Harts return to 1986, a world of dodgy clothes, big hair but banging music.
Back in 2025 Lucy was in a loveless marriage, thankfully her husband had just died, don't worry he most definitely deserved it. But at the funeral a bombshell is dropped, he had farthered a illegitimate child and what's more amended his Will and left half of everything to his illegitimate daughter, what a stinker.
Thankfully Lucy has a chance to travel back 40 years, right some wrongs and set herself on a different course.
Again these books are a hidden delight for me, fun, quick and usually a good look back at a year that I'm too young to remember 😁
Don't get me wrong, they aren't perfect, there's bits that don't always flow like I feel they could but they are fun and scratch an itch every time I read one.
I'm looking forward to 1987
Ps I was 4 in 86'
----------------
You can find more reviews on my blog here : https://bookshelf018.wordpress.com/
----------------
May 21, 2026
Very boring
What a disappointment! It was so tedious I skipped some pages! There wasn't the same reference to 1986 as in other books. It could have been any era! The thing I liked about previous books was the music, shops,events etc in that particular year! This book lacked NOSTALGIA! Apart from the Challenger disaster and a mention OF Eastenders that was practically it! Lucy was a bad choice of character! Banal.
What a disappointment! It was so tedious I skipped some pages! There wasn't the same reference to 1986 as in other books. It could have been any era! The thing I liked about previous books was the music, shops,events etc in that particular year! This book lacked NOSTALGIA! Apart from the Challenger disaster and a mention OF Eastenders that was practically it! Lucy was a bad choice of character! Banal.
June 3, 2026
Lucy certainly gets the opportunity to rewrite history
This book was the most brutal in terms of changing the outcome of lives in the series to date. From page one, Lucy was straight into it, and I had to cringe a few times, maybe that was just reading from a male perspective.
Every month that passed in the book kept me guessing for potential reversals of fortune, but you'll just have to read it to see how it pans out.
No quotes in this review as they would act as spoilers.
This book was the most brutal in terms of changing the outcome of lives in the series to date. From page one, Lucy was straight into it, and I had to cringe a few times, maybe that was just reading from a male perspective.
Every month that passed in the book kept me guessing for potential reversals of fortune, but you'll just have to read it to see how it pans out.
No quotes in this review as they would act as spoilers.
June 8, 2026
Definitely worth the read
I somehow skipped the Robbie story but if you are reading this and haven't, go back and read it first. You can still understand the story without it, but do it for the context. I really marveled at Lucy's business idea and how she built it in one year while navigating the highs and lows if her married life. This was definitely an inspiring book if you might want to go into business for yourself. It was a fun read.
I somehow skipped the Robbie story but if you are reading this and haven't, go back and read it first. You can still understand the story without it, but do it for the context. I really marveled at Lucy's business idea and how she built it in one year while navigating the highs and lows if her married life. This was definitely an inspiring book if you might want to go into business for yourself. It was a fun read.
July 9, 2026
1986 was a very good year
After reading each book in this 1980s series, I've proclaimed it to be my favorite. The same is true with 1986.. The story was masterfully written. I loved it!!
After reading each book in this 1980s series, I've proclaimed it to be my favorite. The same is true with 1986.. The story was masterfully written. I loved it!!
July 19, 2026
Fun read!
Makes you think about what you would do differently if you could go back to change your life. Lucy Hart is a likeable character that you cheer on in hopes she has her own happy ending.
Makes you think about what you would do differently if you could go back to change your life. Lucy Hart is a likeable character that you cheer on in hopes she has her own happy ending.
July 29, 2026
i have read all of these to date and although I am not a fan of time travel generally, I LOVE these books
lets face it who would not like to go back in time and make changes to their life
i know i would
well written
good story line
lets face it who would not like to go back in time and make changes to their life
i know i would
well written
good story line
July 31, 2026
These are my decades!
A million thankyous for this series and I’m so glad there will be a 1987! Having grown up during these years, I can recall many of the scenarios that occurred. The memories allowed me to immerse myself in the plots. Wonderful. Thoroughly recommended❤️
A million thankyous for this series and I’m so glad there will be a 1987! Having grown up during these years, I can recall many of the scenarios that occurred. The memories allowed me to immerse myself in the plots. Wonderful. Thoroughly recommended❤️
May 12, 2026
Another brilliant read - have finished this book over 4 days, looking forward to 1987!
Loved the time bubble series also - read every one at the same pace.
Please keep them coming!
Loved the time bubble series also - read every one at the same pace.
Please keep them coming!
June 14, 2026
Nice installment of Ayres' 80's time travel books.
June 30, 2026
1986: A Year in the Life of Lucy Hart
What a fun story! Wouldn’t we all love the opportunity to go back and make better choices in life? Lucy did it well!
I love this book!
What a fun story! Wouldn’t we all love the opportunity to go back and make better choices in life? Lucy did it well!
I love this book!
July 5, 2026
Cute, quick, FUN read!
July 13, 2026
brilliant
What an intriguing story about going back in time and having a chance to make your life better . I really enjoyed this .
What an intriguing story about going back in time and having a chance to make your life better . I really enjoyed this .
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews