Imogen Hayes is the only female member of The Survivors Club, a group of people who have been scarred physically and/or emotionally by the war, and have banded together to support each other and to try to heal. Many of the members have successfully come to terms with their wounds, and have even made happy marriages, but not Imogen. She lost her husband in the war, and now resides in the dower house of his estate, getting along as best she can, but determined never to feel love again.

Percival Hayes has inherited the estate and title that would have come to Imogen's husband, if he had survived. For years, Percy has lived a frivolous, carefree life, drinking and carousing with his friends, with no thoughts to his future. But today is Percy's thirtieth birthday, and he feels a sense of uselessness and a need for a change. So he decides to finally visit the estate he inherited in Cornwall.

Percy arrives to find two older relatives residing in his home, along with a menagerie of wounded or orphaned animals, and widowed Imogen living in the dower house. Everyone is welcoming except for Imogen, who has no use for the handsome, but shallow young man. Percy finds Imogen cold and stern, and can't wait to leave and go back to town and resume his life. To his dismay, his mother sends word that she is on her way with a barrage of relatives in tow to plan a grand party for Percy's birthday - he is stuck!

While passing time until the crowd arrives, Percy begins to explore his inheritance, at first mocking the country life. But soon, to his own surprise, he begins to enjoy the country, the people and the lifestyle. Even more to his surprise, he begins to find Imogen very attractive. Imogen begins to return Percy's interest, and while she is determined to avoid love, she's willing to indulge in a temporary affair.

It was so enjoyable to watch Percy mature right before my eyes, from a frivolous do-nothing to a caring honorable man. Imogen, however, remains an enigma for most of the book. Until her secret is finally revealed, we are kept wondering why she remains so cold and hard shelled. As Percy genuinely falls in love, it seems he's headed for serious heartbreak. Mary Balogh's Survivors' Club series has contained many emotional, heart wrenching stories. While I felt that the romance in some of the other books was more intense, ONLY A KISS contains elements of personal growth and self forgiveness that make for a strong addition to the series. The supporting cast of characters was charming, and the occasional light humor offset the darkness of Imogen's situation. I enjoyed ONLY A KISS very much and recommend it to all fans of historical romance as well as followers of The Survivors' Club.

Book Summary

Since witnessing the death of her husband during the wars, Imogen, Lady Barclay, has secluded herself in the confines of Hardford Hall, their home in Cornwall. The new owner has failed to take up his inheritance, and Imogen desperately hopes he will never come to disturb her fragile peace.

Percival Hayes, Earl of Hardford, has no interest in the wilds of Cornwall, but when he impulsively decides to pay a visit to his estate there, he is shocked to discover that it is not the ruined heap he had expected. He is equally shocked to find the beautiful widow of his predecessor’s son living there.

Soon Imogen awakens in Percy a passion he has never thought himself capable of feeling. But can he save her from her misery and reawaken her soul? And what will it mean for him if he succeeds?