A boy who belongs nowhere. A girl who matters to nobody. A connection that will change their world. When Kehuan lands in yet another foreign city, a young, angry boy without friends or real family, his prospects look bleak. But then this carefree little street child appears on his path, with her bright eyes and sunny smile. They come from different worlds, but what does it matter? Niki needs someone who'd look out for her, and Kehuan seems the only candidate for the job. The strange duo soon becomes inseparable, and the powerful connection between them starts to shape their entire lives. It even helps them build their own version of family. That's when a catastrophe strikes. It shatters Niki’s life for years to come. But she’s a survivor, and she still has Kehuan, ready to tackle every problem that comes her way. Until one day, he becomes the problem. They managed to withstand the first disaster, but this second one, called growing up, may just do what nothing and no one ever could: tear them apart. "Stanhoff creates a wonderfully evocative tale of two children whose connections turn their lives upside down in unexpected ways. (...) Readers looking for novels replete in cultural experiences, identification, and social inspection will find 'The Trouble with Belonging' compelling, warming, and thought-provoking, all in one." ~ Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review "Students in international schools or anyone who underwent other forms of cultural assimilation in their youth may especially enjoy this novel." ~ The US Review of Books "It's a vivid and raw story of the realities of growing up as an outcast and learning to navigate life with a sense of purpose and belonging. Readers will be captivated by its down-to-earth and engaging story of turbulent teenage love, loss, and identity." ~ Literary Titan "Good plot and straightforward writing style are bound to keep you engaged till the end. If you are looking for some mood lifting multicultural romance with well paced narrative then definitely go for this book." ~ Jagriti Paul, book blogger "They say family isn't always made of blood. Some families are made by bond. And this is also a major theme of the story. (...)The angst of the characters and storyline aren't overdone, the dialogue is natural and believable, and Stanhoff knows how to use sentimentality in just the right places without being saccharin. (...) The pace is perfect, and the notes of friendship and belonging ring out strongly." ~ Readers' Favorite "Stanhoff shows that as long as the constructs that society develops to frame us do not drive us or are not given importance; that we view individuals for who they are not what they represent, then there are no real barriers." ~ Reedsy Discovery Magdalena Stanhoff  writes contemporary novels exploring love, friendship, and family bonds, while also dealing with the matters of identity, personal values, and sense of belonging in nowadays world. She initiated and led several long-term international projects promoting multicultural awareness and worked on them with children, teens, and adults from many different countries. She loves traveling and is vividly interested in how diverse cultures coexist, mix, and clash, and how it influences people's lives.