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1987: A Year in the Life of Victoria Bloom: A 1980s Time Travel Adventure
Worcestershire, 1987: When cash-strapped Vale Television, the smallest station on the ITV network, goes bust, Victoria Bloom sees her career come to a crashing halt.
Forty years later, happily retired, Vicky reminisces with her granddaughter as they watch a show she once worked on, now repeated on a nostalgia TV channel. Later, when a stranger offers her the chance to revisit the past, Vicky returns to the start of the year when it all went wrong.
Back in her old role as Head of Programmes, she has the chance to save Vale, but that won’t be easy at a station where the main news studio is a converted cowshed, and the flagship soap has a budget one-tenth that of Crossroads.
Borrowing ideas from the hit shows of the future seems like a winning strategy, but with a finance director putting the brakes on, money is in short supply. Somehow, Who Wants to Win £500? just doesn’t have the same ring about it.
Join Vicky on her trip back in time in this warm, humorous story set in the golden era of British television.
1987 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.
Forty years later, happily retired, Vicky reminisces with her granddaughter as they watch a show she once worked on, now repeated on a nostalgia TV channel. Later, when a stranger offers her the chance to revisit the past, Vicky returns to the start of the year when it all went wrong.
Back in her old role as Head of Programmes, she has the chance to save Vale, but that won’t be easy at a station where the main news studio is a converted cowshed, and the flagship soap has a budget one-tenth that of Crossroads.
Borrowing ideas from the hit shows of the future seems like a winning strategy, but with a finance director putting the brakes on, money is in short supply. Somehow, Who Wants to Win £500? just doesn’t have the same ring about it.
Join Vicky on her trip back in time in this warm, humorous story set in the golden era of British television.
1987 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.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2026
About the author
Jason Ayres
189 books128 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 14, 2026
1987 A Year In The Life Of Victoria Bloom by Jason Ayres
Book 111 of 2026
Rating : 3 ⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Released : 31st August 2026
Pages : 253
Duration : 4 Days
----------------
If you had the chance to travel back 40 years and right some wrongs in your past would you? Well local TV producer Victoria Bloom has that opportunity as the latest holder of the magical bracelet thingy. Across the next 12 months she will try to save her TV station, save her friends and even try and save Michael Fish from making a fool out of himself (spoiler, she didn't)
This is another entry into Jason Ayres A Year In The Life series and as with the other books this is a fun quick read, the drama is nicely contained and rectified within its chapter, the characters are a little bit eccentric but fun.
But there is also the same problems as the other books too, the slightly weird dialogue throughout, the pacing being a little bit off and a little preachy.
Not to mention the cringey chapter set in May 1987.
But despite this I keep on enjoying these books and I will be getting 1988 as soon as I see it available
Book 111 of 2026
Rating : 3 ⭐
Format : eBook 💻
Released : 31st August 2026
Pages : 253
Duration : 4 Days
----------------
If you had the chance to travel back 40 years and right some wrongs in your past would you? Well local TV producer Victoria Bloom has that opportunity as the latest holder of the magical bracelet thingy. Across the next 12 months she will try to save her TV station, save her friends and even try and save Michael Fish from making a fool out of himself (spoiler, she didn't)
This is another entry into Jason Ayres A Year In The Life series and as with the other books this is a fun quick read, the drama is nicely contained and rectified within its chapter, the characters are a little bit eccentric but fun.
But there is also the same problems as the other books too, the slightly weird dialogue throughout, the pacing being a little bit off and a little preachy.
Not to mention the cringey chapter set in May 1987.
But despite this I keep on enjoying these books and I will be getting 1988 as soon as I see it available
September 5, 2026
Another fabulous read in this series, but as it goes on, there is more interaction with past bracelet holders, which is interesting. Victoria is heading for 80 years old with past regrets, but she gets a chance to go back and relive a year in her life. What can she do to fix the problems that caused her life to go off the track she hoped? With hindsight it seems, a very large number of things. So many lovely outcomes here, and once again just a really satisfying journey. It would be so wonderful if this could happen in reality. Everyone has things they wish they could do differently. If you haven't read this series yet, please, I urge you to go back to the start and read them sequentially. If you are nostalgic for the 80s, even if you didn't grow up in the UK, you'll love it. I'm in Australia and I absolutely adored the reminders of things from the distant past. If you weren't alive in the 80s, no fear, you'll get your chance to live it yourself in these books. Enjoy!
October 18, 2026
As with previous books of this series, this one did not disappoint. Jason Ayres has come up with another cracking story in 1987. Great new characters and some old faces turning up as usual. A real trip down memory lane for us who lived through the year in question. Some hilarious moments in this one when our heroine infiltrates a certain club. Can't recommend this series enough. Peter J Matthews's narration once again is outstanding as he brings all the characters to life. Looking forward now to the next in the series.
November 5, 2026
Another great book Jason. No complaints whatsoever. Looks like another one coming out in the new year. For anyone not familiar with Jasons "A Year In The Life Of" books, a bangle is the main ingredient in them. The bangle becomes the property of a new owner every year at the beginning of "The New Year" The said owner is whisked back in time (Usually around 40 years) for only one year to try and put right a few mistakes they've made and possibly alter the outcome of their lives with the help of the bangle. . 10 books in the series to cover the 80s. Enough said. Good books, great author.
October 23, 2026
ANOTHER GREAT NOVEL
THE MAIN REASON I LOVE JASON'S BOOKS IS THE NOSTALGIC ACCURACY HE PUTS INTO THEM, WHEN I READ THEM THEY TRIGGER MEMORIES OF THE 80S SOME GOOD, SOME NOT SO GOOD.
NOW I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER WHEN 1988 REACHES MY KINDLE LIBRARY, FOR SOME REASON I FORGOT HOW COUNT WHEN WRITING MY REVIEW FOR 1986 THINKING DECEMBER'S PUBLICATION IS THE LAST IN THIS SERIES BUT I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW DELIGHTED I WAS WHEN I REALISED THERE ARE TWO MORE.
THE MAIN REASON I LOVE JASON'S BOOKS IS THE NOSTALGIC ACCURACY HE PUTS INTO THEM, WHEN I READ THEM THEY TRIGGER MEMORIES OF THE 80S SOME GOOD, SOME NOT SO GOOD.
NOW I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER WHEN 1988 REACHES MY KINDLE LIBRARY, FOR SOME REASON I FORGOT HOW COUNT WHEN WRITING MY REVIEW FOR 1986 THINKING DECEMBER'S PUBLICATION IS THE LAST IN THIS SERIES BUT I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW DELIGHTED I WAS WHEN I REALISED THERE ARE TWO MORE.
September 1, 2026
Another Awesome book by JA
In this series of books, they have all been very well put together with changes we can see and some we cannot.
Makes you wonder a bit.
Thoroughly an enjoyable book and an easy read. I would recommend you read books in order especially the first to get the idea of how the time travelling part works.
In this series of books, they have all been very well put together with changes we can see and some we cannot.
Makes you wonder a bit.
Thoroughly an enjoyable book and an easy read. I would recommend you read books in order especially the first to get the idea of how the time travelling part works.
September 19, 2026
Well worth reading
1987 follows the trusted formula of the other years in the series.
Whether it's the fact I remember this year because it's closer in memory, or something else, it grew on me as the months passed.
I struggled with one of the Spring months, but got back on board in Summer. A good strong finish.
1987 follows the trusted formula of the other years in the series.
Whether it's the fact I remember this year because it's closer in memory, or something else, it grew on me as the months passed.
I struggled with one of the Spring months, but got back on board in Summer. A good strong finish.
September 1, 2026
Just a great story as always loved it beginning to end. One of the best things about this series is recurring characters it always makes me smile when they pop up again. I also love all the nostalgia of the 80s.
September 3, 2026
Another great book
I loved this book, I remember the events of 1987 very well and this book made me recall forgotten details and the story wove a fantastic story around saving the people of Vale and the TV station. Love some fascinating scenes too.
I loved this book, I remember the events of 1987 very well and this book made me recall forgotten details and the story wove a fantastic story around saving the people of Vale and the TV station. Love some fascinating scenes too.
September 13, 2026
Another great rea!
I love this series and their feel good factor that each book brings.
My only issue is having to wait until the next one is published, and the fear that the series will end when it hits the '90's!
I love this series and their feel good factor that each book brings.
My only issue is having to wait until the next one is published, and the fear that the series will end when it hits the '90's!
September 19, 2026
Nice
Not read this without reading the previous books, and it led to spoilers for me. Nice little book, with likeable characters and events. Nothing too exciting, but a pleasant few hours of reading.
Not read this without reading the previous books, and it led to spoilers for me. Nice little book, with likeable characters and events. Nothing too exciting, but a pleasant few hours of reading.
September 3, 2026
Brilliant- best one yet
September 6, 2026
Susan Fraser Aberdeen
Another fantastic book.
Love the series and can’t wait for the next book.
Read this in a day ……it’s so good I couldn’t put it down.
Another fantastic book.
Love the series and can’t wait for the next book.
Read this in a day ……it’s so good I couldn’t put it down.
September 7, 2026
Not my favorite of the series. Seemed like there was much less 80s nostalgia in this one and that it could have happened in any timeline.
Read
September 22, 2026I like this series. The characters go back to the 1980s and fix their lives. Wouldn't we all want to be able to do that?
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews