Having People Over: A Modern Guide to Planning, Throwing, and Attending Every Type of Party

by Chelsea Fagan

Become the perfect host and learn how to foster community as an adult with this modern guide to hosting every type of gathering.

In a world that often feels disconnected and transactional, there's nothing more radically hospitable than welcoming people into your space, your table, and your life.

In this accessible, inviting book on hosting and entertaining, author, CEO, and internet big sister Chelsea Fagan guides readers on creating moments worth staying in for. From designing the right space, to crafting a menu that won’t keep you in the kitchen all night, to revitalizing the lost art of cultivating grown-up communities, this book will make you the perfect host at every budget. Having People Over includes guides    

Curating a space optimized for entertaining, so people can drop by without it sending you into a tailspin.  A brief history of the cocktail hour—and its imagined future—including recipes with and without spirits.   The 101 tutorial for all things dinner parties: inviting guests, setting the table, planning a menu, creating a mood board, and actually enjoying the evening yourself.  Facilitating a (platonic) adult sleepover—and why you definitely should!How to be good guest wherever you go, from when to show up, to what to bring, to what absolutely not to do. 
With chic, stylized photography and charming, illustrative line drawings throughout—providing everything from sample tablescapes to charcuterie board maps—and plenty of actual recipes for your next gathering, Having People Over will transform your relationship to entertaining, one apéritif at a time.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Food, Audiobook, Cookbooks, Lifestyle, Adult

208 pages, Hardcover

Published October 21, 2025

About the author

Chelsea Fagan is the co-founder and CEO of The Financial Diet. She is the author of many books, including THE HIGH DIVE, coming May 27, 2025.

Chelsea is an avid home cook, and lives in Manhattan with her husband and dog.

Reviews

[Nienke Schuitemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful book that combines practical tips around hosting with meaningful considerations about friendship, community and growing older.

I hope this books gets translated into Dutch, so I can give it to friends.

[Ainsley McElwee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Make socializing accessible again!!
This book makes me want to throw some classy parties and make my home host-able. Some stories and thoughts were repetitive.

[Caleb Fogler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a little bit of everything when it comes to entertaining guests. I thought some of the ideas and recipes for hosting were interesting and it makes me want to host guests more often. Although I could’ve done without the decorating tips and how to use social media to find decor.

[James Strebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of the book was mostly what I was expecting: it all boils down to being more intentional when hosting. This is actually pretty good advice, because as Fagan acknowledges, having people over can be quite vulnerable — not to mention physically intimidating.

I was not expecting the second half of this book to pack as much emotional weight as it did. Fagan talks about how cultivating friendships and a living space that you really enjoy is an expression of self-love. One that we all too often neglect, especially as we age.

“There’s something special about taking a high level of care in your space. It’s not just for when other people visit … it’s about realizing that we deserve to live somewhere beautiful and clean.”

Idk guys, maybe I need to stop reading books after 1 am.

The book itself is beautiful and I love the design. I took a star off because there were a couple of editing errors/poor decisions and the photography and many of the ideas are reheated multiple times. I get that many people are not going to read this book cover-to-cover. But this feels inexcusable for a book that’s only 200 pages with large type.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I asked for this book for Christmas because I like the author's online persona.

The book serves as a wonderful reminder that inviting folks into your home is a joy for the inviter and invitee. It's certainly something I'll take to heart and strive to do more of. The book gets into some social issues that interplay with the topic of hosting (hosting at different budget levels, social media perfection making us feel inadequate, the importance of friendship and community building especially as we age, etc). I welcomed those detours though I could see some readers rolling their eyes.

Ultimately Chelsea Fagan is a girl's girl who wants to sip a fizzy drink and snack on cheese and chat with friends. Her book gets you excited to do just that.

[Anemone V.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

ladies and gentlemen war is over I have read a book again. Man I missed reading. Pleased to announce that this is not an academic article (shocker I know) and is really cute and included a surprise theme on the isolating woes of capitalism which I was not expecting but really appreciated

[Mafalda Viana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could say I’d read anything Chelsea writes - including her grocery list - but this time I really did read her grocery list. This is such a wholesome and beautiful book. The main theme throughout is cultivating the platonic relationships in your life, in this case through hosting. Chelsea writes with the big sister vibes she’s known for, gently reminding you to love your people a little more intentionally, and including thoughtful social commentary along the way.

[ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely little guide to not only hosting, but building community. It has a bit of everything: ideas, recipes, tips, and beautiful pictures for inspiration. I liked that everything in here felt like it was very approachable and easy to adapt to whatever your situation is. It also felt very accessible from a cost=perspective - nothing made me feel like I had to spend a lot of money to be a good host. I enjoyed the tips on being a good guest as well. The section on consumerism vs curation was very relevant and well-said. The focus here is on creating an experience rather than just serving those in your home. I got a lot of great ideas from here!

Thank you to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Maude · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was lovely! As someone who has been wanting to get into hosting small gatherings more often - a couple of friends here and there, maybe a board games night or two - this was the perfect book for me! Full of practical advice, and gentle reminders that you dont need a 100k salary to be a great host and have some fun aperitifs with your friends, this is a great book to get for yourself or a friend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Review Copy!

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

a lot of this advice is pretty intuitive if you already enjoy hosting (ie always keep your home clean enough to have drop in guests, have go to recipes, etc) but there were some parts that i found novel and enjoyable and will fs be incorporating (adult platonic sleepovers, the cocktail hour).

not to brag but i was a top 0.5% user of partiful this year so maybe im just already the hostess with the mostess—however i can see this being useful for people who are actively scared of having others in their home.

[Kate Blackham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick listen and lots of great hosting tips! This book talked a lot about how it’s important to host even when you don’t feel like your home or space is good enough. Making memories with people you love is most important! Hoping to apply this to my life a little more next year!

[Creed Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for the rec @sky. This was a refreshing reminder that being an adult is FUN!! I am excited for post grad and to have more people over. I also thought there was a lot of applicable content for student events!!!!!!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little nonfiction book about how to socialize, even under the pressures of modern life and constraints on everything from money to time to mental space. I liked the stories of the author's parents' parties during her childhood -- they really show an origin story for the author's impetus to write this book.

[Bethany Crisp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and enjoyable read! It’s about more than hosting; it’s about building community! It acknowledges the financial realities that most people face, the disconnection in society (especially for gen z), and provides realistic steps individuals can take to improve their relationships with friends. I especially loved the chapter on curation vs consumerism.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

when this came through on my libby holds and i started this, i had genuinely no idea why i would have put it on hold. but i actually loved it, not bc i want party advice but bc it was so deeply about the ways we love our community and friends outside of monogamous partnerships.

[Hailey Shreffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following Chelsea for many years now on Youtube. I was thrilled to see she was releasing a book on hosting and had to see if I would be approved for an early copy. Having People Over is about more than just hosting and how to be a good guest. She touches on decorating, using small spaces well, and creating community. The author emphasizes that you do not have to make +100K to host dinner parties and this can be done on any budget.

Having People Over is perfect for readers who love to host or want to host more but simply don't know where to start.

Thank you Netgalley and Ten Speed Press for the ARC.

[Catie Siegling · Rating 3 out of 5]

First non-fic book of the year and it was a lovely one 💆‍♀️ I really enjoy Chelsea’s online presence and content surrounding hosting and building community so I was very excited to read this book.

She really hits the nail on the head and seamlessly transitions between topics that all point back to a common theme. Her mindset towards things is soo similar to mine but she is older and more elevated with experience so I loved learning from her through this book! Nothing revolutionary but it was cute and gave me some inspo for my home and events ☺️😋🩷

[Sky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delight of a book! I loved so many things! First of all—it’s maybe the first non fiction book I wish was longer. To the point with no filler. Second—very applicable tips. I may not be hosting lavish cocktail parties, but I am excited to implement a lot of her advice. Third—it brought in a lot of important topics that I wouldn’t have necessary connected to hosting (alcohol use, male loneliness, the rise of boundaries, aging). A perfect book.

[Ela M · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 rounded up to 3. First off, I wanted to support Chelsea by pre-ordering this book, but I couldn’t bring myself to spend $30+ on a tiny coffee table book. And honestly, I’m glad I didn’t. I ended up borrowing the audiobook version, so I did miss out on the photos and illustrations, but regardless, I found the content pretty underwhelming.

I’m a big fan of Chelsea’s YouTube channel; I’ve watched a bunch of her videos and really admire her professionalism, articulation, and how well-researched her content is. But this book just didn’t do it for me. It felt repetitive and I didn’t really learn anything new. I wouldn’t call myself a hosting expert, but I do have guests over on a semi-regular basis, and there weren’t any standout tips or ideas I hadn’t already heard before (aside from maybe placing a water bottle in my guest room.)
A lot of her points were things I’d already picked up elsewhere - like from Ina Garten who reminds us in her memoir that you don’t need to make everything from scratch when hosting. This book felt more suited for someone who has literally never had guests over before and is just trying to wrap their mind around the concept...but if that’s the case, it should’ve been marketed that way.

Chelsea’s clearly talented and thoughtful, but this one just missed the mark for me - maybe it was the topic, or maybe her style just translates better on screen than on the page.

[Joanna Borba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excited to level up my parties and introduce a few new concepts and recipe types. The book highlights lots of great tips from all steps of hosting from preplanning to post-partying. looking forward to using this to build stronger friend communities! Will be referencing this book a few times for sure!

[Hannah-Renea Niederberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly fabulous, I'm looking forward to purchasing a copy for me to own and take notes in.

[Mimoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having People Over is such a refreshing take on hosting. It’s less about perfect tablescapes and more about genuine connection and community. The ideas are simple, adaptable, and affordable—nothing feels out of reach. I especially appreciated the reflections on how to be a thoughtful guest as well as a gracious host—the reminder that hospitality is a shared experience, not a one-sided performance. Warm, thoughtful, and beautifully put together—an inspiring, down-to-earth read for anyone who loves gathering people.

Thanks to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Debi]

“To achieve real, lasting closeness with people to whom you are neither bound by the commitment of marriage nor the obligation of family is an important skill and a noble goal.”

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful intro to rebuilding a community of welcoming each other in, one dinner party at a time!

[Christine Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

the conclusion of this book literally made me tear up. i loved the messages throughout the book on community, and loved the tips and tricks it provided

[Yael Elinav · Rating 4 out of 5]

would give a 3.5. Fun read, great for anyone young or new to hosting.
I feel like chelsea has a lot of interesting thinga to say, but sometimes start going to deep a direction and doesn't tie it back to the subject. I would enjoy more talking about both practical (perhaps a few examples of different get togethers? Dinner, movie night, crafts night, potlock) as well as more sociology takes - why is community important, how does hosting and being hosted is helping us feel human, etc. She did it a bit with platonic friendships, but there was room for a lot more (imho).

[Tatum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having People Over by Chelsea Fagan is a charming, practical, and beautifully designed guide to the art of gathering. It’s not just about hosting, it’s about connection, community, and joy. Fagan’s warm, approachable tone reminds readers that good hosting isn’t about perfection or expense, but about intention. With gorgeous visuals, thoughtful advice, and genuine heart, this book inspires even the most anxious host to open their doors. A confidence-boosting read for anyone looking to bring people together. My favorite tip is to embrace template-based cooking by having go-tos that can be spiced up for occasions with the addition of flavors. Thanks to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for this early release in exchange for my review.

[Jean Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adore this book! Hosting is my favorite past time and this book is full of tips and tricks to be the best host! I love how there is also sections talking about the importance of gathering and how to be a good guest!!

[Angie Baer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I requested this book, I expected a fun and practical guide to entertaining—but Having People Over turned out to be so much more than that. Yes, it’s about hosting gatherings and sharing good food, but at its core, it’s about connection: how we come together as individuals and as a community to build relationships through the simple act of gathering.

I also loved Fagan’s focus on creating an environment that feels inviting without being intimidating—something that’s so key when you’re hosting. Along with her thoughtful advice and approachable recipes, she includes an entire chapter on being a good guest, which I found both refreshing and valuable.

If you enjoy entertaining, you may have read other books on the topic, but Fagan’s perspective feels fresh, modern, and authentic. I consider Having People Over a must-have for anyone who values connection, community, and the art of hospitality.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite a cookbook, but there are some recipes. Not quite a coffee table book, but it has some lovely visuals. Not quite a how-to, but it does have some tips. Not quite a manifesto on building community through nurturing relationships in person, but she does have some thoughts and she does cite some sources.

I overall liked the book, but I feel if it had committed to just one of these things, I would have really liked it or even loved it.