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Luna and the city of Shadows: The Gritty Psychological Finale

Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26
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What if the life you fought for was nothing more than a beautiful lie?

You have walked through the storm and the fire with Luna Bernardi.

In Before the Light, you watched her world in Italy bleed out. She was a girl whose foundation crumbled under betrayal and a tragedy that forced her across the ocean. In Luna’s Crossroads, you found her at nineteen in the concrete jungle of New York, fighting to build a life while the ghosts of the past and the pull of Lucas threatened to drown her.

Now, the leap forward has begun. Luna is twenty-seven.

The girl you knew is gone. She has been replaced by a woman forged in the two years of chaos that followed the discovery that changed everything. Living in Chelsea and leaning on her best friend, Anna, Luna is finally trying to plant roots. But as she struggles to build a new life, the past refuses to stay buried.

"Things are not always as they seem."

In this haunting, non-linear conclusion, the narration becomes as fragmented as Luna’s own mind. The stakes are no longer just about healing. Now, they are lethal. As the past catches up, she realizes that New York is no longer a safe place. It is a labyrinth of unresolved emotions, toxic distractions, and truths that refuse to stay dead.

The payoff for a decade of silence is finally here.

Through heartache and visceral self-discovery, the clock ticks down. As the lines between reality and memory begin to blur, one question Can you ever truly wake up from a dream that has become your life?

Luna and the City of Shadows is the mind-blowing conclusion to the Luna’s Diaries trilogy. It is a raw, emotional journey where innocence has died, the mystery unfolds, and the final truth will shatter everything you thought you knew.

483 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 2, 2026

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About the author

Roksolana Lebid

14 books68 followers
Hi there! My name is Roksolana, and I love exploring my limits. I believe that learning new things and discovering new passions is deeply fulfilling. I was born in a small town in Ukraine and raised by my mother before moving to a beautiful Italian town—a place I still love to visit every year with my family.
While I am a full-time photographer and a mom, I recently discovered that writing brings me immense joy. My journey began with a personal diary where I recorded my deepest thoughts; those entries became the inspiration for the Luna’s Diaries series. When I’m not writing or behind the lens, I enjoy reading, playing the piano, practicing illustration, and staying active through fitness. I currently live in New York with my family.

www.roksolanalebid.com
Instagram @bookstagramluna
TikTok @roksolanalebid
Facebook @roksolanalebidbooks

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5 stars
31 (91%)
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3 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Jade Powell.
29 reviews
May 10, 2026
I knew this book and finishing the series would break me but I decided to read it anyway.

I will not give any spoilers but just know you WILL cry.

Spice 🌶️🌶️
Psychological thriller
Relatable characters and story 🖤
Trauma survivor
Secrets and twists 🤫

Following Luna on this journey really spoke to me on a personal level. I have been through some of the things she experienced as well and I appreciate all of the real life situations that were talked about in the books. We experience some incredibly heavy and relatable themes in a way that feels honest instead of forced. It dives into grief, healing, emotional avoidance, and the ways people try to cope when life feels overwhelming. The author does an amazing job showing how messy relationships and personal growth can be, while still giving readers moments of hope and connection along the way.

The author gives us two different endings so you can choose how you want your book to end. It certainly is a psychological thriller series.
Profile Image for Rebecca Carlberg.
4 reviews
May 14, 2026
Luna and the City of Shadows by Roksolana Lebid completely pulled me in emotionally. Lunas character is incredibly real. She’s flawed, emotional, and constantly battling between wanting peace and falling back into unhealthy patterns. The relationships in this book are intense and layered with so much tension and emotion that I couldn’t stop reading. Honestly, the author’s note deserves so much praise because it adds an entirely different level of meaning to the story. You can tell Roksolana put real emotion and thought into this book, and it makes the whole thing feel even more personal. There are explicit scenes, but they feel emotionally important rather than just there for spice.
Profile Image for Jenny.
164 reviews3 followers
March 19, 2026
This series…wow, just wow. It just does not get enough hype in the book world and unfortunately I do not have a great enough online presence to make that happen for the author. I love this story, I love this world, I love these characters and I absolutely loved the finale! I hate to see it come to an end, but holy crap, was it all worth it! I love the way this author writes and brings her characters to life. It resounds with me more than I would ever admit to the real world outside of this app. Definitely give this series a shot, it is absolutely worth it!!
Profile Image for Kim Finazzo.
177 reviews7 followers
March 25, 2026
I was giving Luna & The City of Shadows as an ARC. What an amazing trilogy this series is. If you love psychological thrillers. You have to get this series. You will NOT be disappointed.

The story between Zane and Luna was a mixture of emotions. You will not want to put them down.

Roksolana Lebid is an incredible writer and I am looking forward to reading her next stories. Go look her up on TikTok and Instagram. Oh and did I mention you can get her books in 2 different covers. Check them out on her website.

Happy reading
16 reviews
April 7, 2026
Happily ever after... or is it?

Full disclosure: it has taken me a few days to write this review because I needed time to reflect. This series resonated with me in a way few books ever have; I can confidently say that I’ll be revisiting Luna’s story for years to come.

In this final installment, Roksolana shifts her narrative style, introducing multiple perspectives. By including chapters written from other characters' points of view, she creates a "just one more chapter" momentum that is impossible to resist. I loved seeing how the rest of the cast navigated their own lives alongside Luna.

The story picks up immediately after the cliffhanger of the second book, following the whirlwind of Luna’s life in New York. As time passes, we see the natural evolution of her circle: friends marry, have children, and divorce, while parents age. One of the most beautiful elements is Luna’s personal growth. In the beginning, she was terrified of the "big city" and relied on V to get her there; this time, we see her traveling on her own—a testament to how much she has evolved.

I fear I’ll give too much away if I summarize any further, but please know that this series—and this finale in particular—is amazing. While I received this as an ARC reader, I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to have immersed myself in Luna’s world. I cannot recommend it enough.
Profile Image for CozyreaderLisa.
51 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2026
When I say this is my new favorite trilogy, I’m not even exaggerating! This is a must-read for anyone that is interested in psychological thrillers. This book had me screaming, “What the hell?” and crying for Luna. And that ending… don’t get me started, it will literally slap you silly. This author has me as a reader for life. I cannot recommend this book enough; it is truly a great read!
Profile Image for Crystal Clarke.
21 reviews
May 10, 2026
Read as an ARC**
What can I say about this book? All 3 books in the series have been awesome. When I think I had this one figured out I was wrong again! The ending completely left me sitting with my mouth agape. Can’t wait to read more works from RoksoLana!
Profile Image for Courtney Pityer.
1,008 reviews63 followers
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
April 30, 2026
I won this in a giveaway
Profile Image for Sandra M Choi.
15 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 15, 2026
Wow. Just wow.

Luna and the City of Shadows is a wild emotional ride, a tear jerker in all the right moments, and a powerful conclusion to Luna and Zane’s story that reminds you why you fell in love with these characters in the first place.

To truly appreciate the story, this is absolutely a must read trilogy. Each book builds beautifully on the last, and everything finally comes together in this emotional finale.

I’ve been personally invested in these characters since Book 1, and the author absolutely did them justice in this final installment. After the dramatic cliffhanger at the end of Book 2, I went into this story desperate to know what was next for Luna and Zane, and this book wastes no time pulling you right back into their world.

The tension, the unresolved emotions, and the questions about whether they could truly find their way back to each other all carry forward in such a satisfying way. Watching Luna and Zane navigate what comes after heartbreak, trust issues, and unfinished feelings made this story impossible to put down.

This long awaited third book dives into so many subjects that might seem taboo but are incredibly relevant and relatable. It explores the ways we distract ourselves to fill the holes we feel inside, the needs we convince ourselves we have even when they lead us away from our own happiness.

Just when you think you are completely in sync with the author and sure you know how things will end, she does it again. The story takes you on a whirlwind of romance, emotional twists, and unexpected moments that keep you turning the pages.

The witty banter between characters, the difficult conversations, and the honest portrayal of love and heartbreak make the relationships feel authentic. This book is absolutely a tear jerker at times, pulling you deep into the emotional weight of the characters’ choices and the consequences that follow. Nothing is easy, and that is what makes the payoff so meaningful.

And can we talk about the covers for a second? How perfect are they. If you have not familiarized yourself with Roksolana Lebid, you absolutely should because she can truly do it all.

I always feel privileged to receive an ARC, but this was one I had been especially anticipating. I have been following the author’s updates throughout her writing process, and the dedication she shows to both her characters and her readers really shines through in this book.
111 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 18, 2026
Luna and the City of Shadows is a haunting, masterful conclusion that elevates the entire trilogy into a sophisticated work of psychological suspense. The shift to a twenty-seven-year-old Luna in the labyrinth of Chelsea marks a jarring but necessary evolution from the girl we first met in Italy; she is no longer merely surviving her past, but actively contending with a reality that is as fragmented as the narrative itself. The author’s choice to use a non-linear, disjointed storytelling style perfectly mirrors Luna’s internal chaos, making the reader feel every bit of the tension as the stakes escalate from emotional healing to a lethal struggle for the truth.
​This final chapter delivers a payoff a decade in the making, weaving together unresolved threads with a raw, visceral energy that is rare in contemporary fiction. The way the "City of Shadows" becomes a character in its own right—a place of toxic distractions and truths that refuse to stay buried—creates an atmosphere so thick it’s nearly claustrophobic. By the time the final pages shatter the foundations of everything previously established, the "beautiful lie" of Luna's life is laid bare in a way that is both devastating and brilliant. This is an absolute must-read for 2026 and a five-star testament to the author’s incredible talent for complex, atmospheric storytelling.
Profile Image for Amber Sewa.
12 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 25, 2026
I have a lot to say but I just finished reading it 5 minutes ago so I’m still very emotional 😭….. I’ll be back

*30 minutes later*
After gathering my thoughts and emotions, I’ll like to say that the fact that the writer categorizes this as ‘psychological thriller’ is super accurate 🥹
It was a rollercoaster of every emotion to exist, I think I’ll think of this book everyday 🥹

Luna and the city of shadows is the 3rd book in the Luna diaries trilogy which continues the story of Luna from Before the light and Luna’s crossroad.

The story of Luna and Zane is one that will make you love love, break you, put you back together…… and as many more important characters that contributed to making their love story a beautiful one.

What made me love this book more is the ending, the alternative ending made a lot of sense to analyze the depth of the book, proves that Luna’s story isn’t your typical ones.

This story was beautifully written, paced and felt. Everything happened for a reason and nothing should be overlooked 🥹Author Roksolana Lebid did an amazing work🫶🏽.

My emotions are still all over the place, and I’m sure once a few days pass and I gather my thoughts on more things to say to express how heavy this book is in my heart, I’ll probably be back to edit my review ❤️
Profile Image for Holli Mattox.
87 reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 17, 2026
Oh Luna 😭😭😭😭

I’ll start by saying that this book has alternate endings. I can, with confidence, say that I personally needed this after experiencing the trauma and self destruction that was Luna’s life for over a decade. I needed it for myself as a reader and for Luna because I wanted her life to be so much more and for her to feel worthy and human and whole.

With that being said, I did read the alternative ending as well as the author’s note explaining how she mapped out Luna’s journey and exactly how she envisioned it concluding. Roksolana is so talented and I can appreciate that she put in the effort to tell the characters stories while taking care of all of her readers. I cannot believe this trilogy has come to an end. I am so thankful to have been chosen to ARC read this wonderful story.

Without giving any spoilers, I would like to add that if you are satisfied with the first ending, then it is my recommendation that you do not continue to read. My curiosity got the best of me and I read it all and now I cannot unread what I have read. 😭 Regardless, this trilogy was written so well and I enjoyed the roller coaster.🖤
98 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 12, 2026
Oh my stars! We have reached the end of Luna's journey and what a ride it has been. We pick up 2 years after the end of book 2 where Luna has been dealing with the fall out of finding Zane alive and living in New York. Her and Zane have many conversations about why he did what he did, and Luna tries to let him go and move on with a new love interest. But as always her heart always belonged to Zane. We get to see her let go of Lucas, but only after she loses another love due to her bad decisions. Luna finally dies get her happy ending with the man of her dreams! But at what cost? This series gripped my heart and never let go. Luna will be one of those characters that lives rent free in my head forever! Go read this series with a very open mind, but be warned, things are not always as they seem. Happy Reading loves!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for After The Last Page.
74 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 19, 2026
wow what a story! I'm truly grateful that I read this trilogy.

the final book as expected is another masterpiece. all the struggles, all the revelations, betrayals and each and every character development.... so on point that I want to give more than 5 stars for this trilogy.

I loved the story fast paced, not able to put down and the ending.... what I expected. the dual timelines, and finally the multiple pov's are my most anticipated and loved parts in this book.

there are 2 endings to this story... this shows how talented the author Roksolana is and I thank her for bringing this wonderful story time all of us.

the full trilogy is awesome, even though it's psychologically draining I don't want to put it down and want to know what happens next, want to see if Luna succeeds in her life in the decade time span and it's well deserving ending.
Profile Image for Krystal Kraft.
345 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 29, 2026
Wrapped up this trilogy🤯 These book babies were big!! It was an extremely complex adventure of love, hope, disappointment, life lessons, friendship, and more…that will be sure to mind F you at the end LOL! Good LORD! When I read that last chapter, I just like stopped, angled my head a little, took a breath and just had sit a moment to take in this new info I just found out. Wow wow wow wow!!

This is an author you can tell puts all the love she has into these books, the characters, and the plots she creates. The mind twistery effect she has is such a talent she holds and I absolutely recommend you to pick up her work. But beware of emotional damage. And relatable content!

She has shed tears, her readers have shed tears, she’s become invested, we’ve become invested, and it was so worth it. Great trilogy!
Profile Image for Cristi.
16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 11, 2026
Luna and the City of Shadows is, at its heart, a story about the cost of curiosity. While many books in this genre focus on the "how" of a mystery, this one is much more interested in the "why." One of the most realistic aspects of the book is its portrayal of isolation. Luna often feels like an outsider in her own life, and the "Shadows" serve as a clever physical manifestation of that loneliness. It’s not just about monsters in the dark; it’s about the parts of ourselves we’re afraid to look at. This gives the book an emotional weight that stays with you after you finish the final page.This is a book for the mood-reader. It’s less about a sequence of battles and more about the evolution of a mindset. It’s quiet, haunting, and intentionally evocative.
Profile Image for Tiarra.
51 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 15, 2026
To say I have alot of words-Id be lying. This book deserves more stars than I could give it. She knew what she was doing when she wrote Lunas story. Im still shocked and just crying-in good ways and sad ways.
Luna and Zane are everything. To being the loves of their lives-to gone. Secrets unfolded-watching Luna destroy her life because a love like Zane cant compare. Its such a psychological read. One minute youre ok-the next youre holding to dear life trying to make it thru-holding in ur tears because you cant see and u cant put the book down yet. This book was EVERYTHING. LITERALLY EVERYTHING ! This series was life ❤️
Profile Image for Arianna Bates.
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 30, 2026
Heart-Wrenching and Heavy!!!!

Luna and the City of Shadows does not pull any punches. As the final installment, it shifts the tone into a higher gear, forcing the characters to face impossible choices. Unlike many series finales that play it safe, this book embraces the cost of the conflict.
The pacing is relentless. I appreciated how the author revisited all previous issues from the first book, making the entire series feel like one cohesive tapestry. It’s a bittersweet farewell that left me thinking about the characters long after I closed the cover.

Heavy, haunting, and highly recommended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Savannah Huntington.
37 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 12, 2026
I have always enjoyed a sad ending to a story. I think it's so much more realistic and raw if a story doesn't end with a "they lived happily ever after." And this book?? This is the first time I have ever DESPERATELY read in hopes that things would turn out okay.

Bravo to the author. I did not see the ending coming. AT ALL. I feel... I don't even know. Blown away. A bit devastated. A bit enthralled. A bit everything.

5 stars. Wonderful wrap up to this series. This was my favorite book of all three.

I'm excited to see what the future holds for this author!

This will definitely be going on my top 5 star reads for this year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Beth H..
95 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 21, 2026
This trilogy is life altering.

Throughout the journey of reading, I knew this would be a story I would never forget.

There is so much I want to say about this incredible story, but I can't seem to find words to do it justice. I have experienced every emotion throughout this trilogy and I wouldn't change a thing about it.

The ending was perfect, I was able to see the parallels throughout the story, but I was hoping I was wrong the entire time.

This one will be heavy on my mind and heart for a very long time.

Thank you Roksolana for bringing this masterpiece into the world.
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 3, 2026
Before you read this last part of Luna’s Journey, brace yourself for the ending as I was left distraught and unable to formulate words/sentences. Luna’s Journey was a roller coaster and trying to figure out how much more she would be able to though. Roksolana-I was left wordless ..the brain is powerful, magnificent and complex in ways a lot of us cannot understand is what is what I leaving with. I enjoyed reading Luna’s Journey and how it all ties back to the beginning.
Profile Image for Kimberly Brooks.
48 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 14, 2026
I will start off by saying that you will be emotionally wrecked by the end of this book and the whole trigly don't do any more to it either but this is one that will have you wondering why did he do it and what the heck but the love for each other is still there the same as it always was and the ending will have you thinking was it alway meant to happen so they could find their way back to each other to live this life together.
16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 18, 2026
Luna's journey has been an absolute roller-coaster. From Andrea to Zane and Lucas and Laura, I can not believe how fast V and her girlfriend fell for each other, and Ella? OH MY GOD. I cant say more to make this form a coherent thought, Im still recovering. Seriously read this trilogy like yesterday!
Profile Image for Joanna ✨️.
32 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 23, 2026
The final installment of Lunas Diaries, Luna and The City of Shadows just brings everything together. Its so beautifully written that it beats all other psychological thrillers in my opinion. Theres so much more I want to say but im afraid I'll spoil it, so you just have to read it to understand it.
Profile Image for Cindy Crivellone.
155 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 26, 2026
I have no words! My mind is spinning right now! This trilogy has been a wild rollercoaster ride with so many ups and downs and so many emotions. I am in literal tears after reading the whole ending. Amazing story, amazing writing, the characters everything wow!!! Be prepared to have your heart ripped out multiple times!!!
Profile Image for Brandi Salvetti.
20 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 4, 2026
fucking devastated. this book shattered my heart far more then I expected. since the first book lunas life captivatied me. I laughed and cried ALOT these books made me feel like I lived in the book going through the motions everyday with Luna. but the fucking ending. ..gut wrenching soul shattering I dont kno if ill be OK for a while 😭😭😭😭💔💔💔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amanda.
34 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 14, 2026
I just finished reading Luna and the City of Shadows and I loved it! ❤️ I am so sad this is the final journey for Luna, I honestly did not want the story to end, it was beautifully written. I can’t wait for the next book that this author writes because her writing is amazing.
Profile Image for Heather Shower.
329 reviews22 followers
May 7, 2026
A stunning, emotional finale that delivers on every level. Luna and Zane’s journey is raw, haunting, and beautifully real. This trilogy builds perfectly to a powerful, tear-soaked conclusion you won’t forget. Heartbreaking, honest, and completely worth the ride.
Profile Image for Sophia D..
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 9, 2026
OMG 😱 What was that? I’m speechless. I need time to process.
Profile Image for Lindsay Lucas.
3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 10, 2026
its been one of the best reads I have had in a long time! fantastic writing Luna puts you through the emotions and you just get sucked into her life 10/10
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews