Last updated: March 29, 2026
Here are testimonials from people who read my book, The 2-Hour Cocktail Party.
When it comes to socializing, Nick is the most creative adult I know. Parties with him are unlike anything I’ve seen. He’s a master at creating memories, easing social tension at parties, and facilitating new friendships.
—David Perell, Write of Passage
Hosting a great party takes courage, creativity, and technical know-how. Nick’s book delivers fun and innovative tools to help you develop all three. If you implement just one of the dozens of tips in this book, you’ll take your party hosting skills to the next level.
—Nina Simon, Former Executive Director of the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
“Success (and happiness in general) isn’t about what you know – it’s about who you know. This book is a guide to making new relationships and making them happen more often and in a fun way. Nick Gray is a master of getting people together. I highly recommend this book!
—Nick Huber, The Sweaty Startup
Fun and engaging. This book is a proactive do-it-yourself guide to party hosting and network building.
—Ben Casnocha, Co-Founder of Village Global, New York Times bestselling author
Nick’s book is the most practical, no-fluff instruction on how to throw an incredible and memorable event. It’s part self-help, part personal growth, and full of actionable steps you can take today to build big relationships and become a connector.
—Cathryn Lavery, CEO and Co-Founder of BestSelf
I’m thrilled that this book exists. I’ve seen this magic in action as an attendee of Nick Gray’s parties and feel fortunate to now have a peek behind the curtain.
—Diksha Basu, Author of Destination Wedding and The Windfall
A Total Game-Changer
The 2-Hour Cocktail Party is a real game-changer, and even after just one party, my connection with the attendees is more substantial, and my network, even outside of those 15 people, has expanded. People want to come to my party.
—Carrie Perreault, Toronto, Canada
Tim loves it
I can’t emphasize how helpful the two-stage invitation is. The first invite that you suggest people send is like a test shot to gauge general interest. It spares you from the rejection of the actual invite.
—Tim Courtney
You consistently care and have mastered positivity and appreciation of others.
—Tim Courtney
Can’t thank you enough for pushing me on this party. I realized that something as simple as this is what makes me come alive. It always has. I just never simplified it to its essence like your book did. THANK YOU for this book.
—Tim Courtney
Party with purpose
What really sets your parties apart is that your parties have a very clear purpose and your parties have a really strong structure. Purpose and structure are what make your parties work. Everyone leaves feeling like they had a fun time but also with a sense of accomplishment.
—Andria Yu
The book is very fun and I think you are going to help so many people develop confidence and not just sit alone in their homes like a bunch of Elenor Rigbys!
—Victoria Cherry
Tactical tips
This book has loads of tactical tips for hosting an event.
—Ben Casnocha
Raul says he used to be a lazy host
This handbook has made me reconsider some of the choices I made when setting up my own drinks nights at work, which in retrospect were lazy.
—Raul Gutierrez, Founder and CEO, Tinybop
You’ve said out loud many things I sort of know or should know but have never actually tried to codify. I spent 10 years in LA in the film business and did a ton of hosting out there and always return to those nights as being some of the most fun/enriching of my early life.
—Raul Gutierrez, Founder and CEO, Tinybop
Your buy-in will grow
You take the mysterious subject of successful parties and unravel it until all is clear. You state the work involved (it’s manageable!), as well as the rewards (everybody wins!). The nature of your writing is that it flows, and my buy-in grows with each new topic.
—Linda Parker
Roger found it EASY
I was blown away at how easy it was to host such a fun, successful event. You literally handed me the perfect formula for hosting and all I had to do was follow it step by step. It’s obvious that hosting these types of events is the ultimate hack to growing and deepening my connections with some of the coolest people in my city, and I’m already seeing the results of that after hosting just one event.
—Roger Morris
I’ve been able to successfully invite people to attend my party who I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to meet up with 1-1, and I’ve been receiving invitations to join other people’s events.
—Roger Morris
Hello in town, to Spartan race
“This book helped me host parties that gave me a tremendous amount of authority and respect in my community. I’ve gained a few close friends, and many new connections, and the confidence that I’m adding value. Now, when I go out in town to the store, a restaurant, or a school event, it’s much more common that I see someone I know and say hello to. Tonight I’m going to dinner and doing a Spartan obstacle course in the backyard of a woman I met and invited to one of my parties last year. I’m so excited. And I had an excuse to originally start a conversation with her thanks to your book, The 2-Hour Cocktail Party. She became so impressed with me because of my hosting skills that I learned in your book that she started inviting me to many fun events, and we have developed a strong friendship not only for me, but for my entire family. This was all as a result of me putting my insecurities away and inviting her over for a party!”
—Nagina Sethi Abdulla
Rui hosted a party, then started a YouTube channel
I wanted to say thanks for all your guidance in testing the party playbook. Had I not had that experience, I don’t know if I would’ve even dabbled in YouTube or simply put myself out there. Thanks so much for that spark that generated much curiosity and willingness to try and fail. Appreciate it!
—Rui Zhang
See 3 more case studies of people who read early copies of my book.
What Recent Readers Are Saying
Since the book launched, thousands of readers have tried the formula and shared their results on Amazon and Goodreads. Here are a few recent ones.
Not enough books are tactical, and this one will almost give you the play by play TOO much!! I really like that he lays it out so completely, and for nervous hosts this will be a boon. Before you ask, yes we’re hosting the first cocktail party in this style tomorrow!
—Amy Y., Goodreads review, August 2025
I LOVED this book. I’ve hosted 2 parties following many of Nick’s recommendations and they were wonderful. It validated hosting practices I already had and inspired many others that I will continue. I also loved that it prioritizes authenticity and meaningful connection. It’s about community, not aesthetics and decorations. It’s very well organized and easy to follow or refer back to.
—Paige, Goodreads review, June 2025
I loved how engaging and practical this book was. Nick walks you through every step, in such a friendly and doable way. I particularly loved the section on icebreakers. Plus all the RSVP and reminder tips.
—D.K., Amazon review, October 2024
Nick is such an inspiration and this book is a great tactical guide.
—Shriya, Goodreads review, October 2024
I decided to prioritize making great friends in my new city and this book has helped me do that. I’ve hosted six enjoyable and well-attended cocktail parties using the book’s guidance. Several of my guests have been a little shocked by how smoothly the parties run and by my attention to detail — when I was only following the recommendations.
—Amazon reviewer, 2024
This book is incredibly digestible and fast to read. Each step of the party-planning process is split into its own straightforward chapter, with details and clear reasoning behind each part of his method. I appreciate that it did not feel repetitive.
—Daniel, Goodreads review, October 2024
Conclusion
These are just a handful of the reviews readers have shared on Amazon and Goodreads. Want to add yours? I’d be grateful if you posted a review on Amazon or Goodreads.
Do you have a testimonial or review to share? Email me to nick@party.pro and I’ll try to add it to this page. Please, please, please also post it first on Amazon and Goodreads though, if you wouldn’t mind? Let me know you did that first in your email, please. It helps me more than you can imagine as a first-time author.
