As the bestselling romantasy (romantic fantasy) author behind unforgettable love stories like Aelin and Rowan in Throne of Glass and Feyre and Rhysand in A Court of Thorns and Roses, it’s no surprise that Sarah J. Maas’s own romance feels just as enchanting. At 39, Maas has been married to her husband, Josh Wasserman, since 2010, and together they’ve built a family with two children. Below, we dive into their real-life love story—including which of her swoon-worthy fictional heroes she often likens Josh to. Keep reading for all the heartfelt details.
A Glimpse Into Sarah J. Maas’s Real-Life Romance
Maas met Josh Wasserman—affectionately known to fans as “Papa Maas”—during her freshman year at Hamilton College, where he was working as a resident assistant (RA). While the details of their initial meet-cute remain a bit of a mystery, their connection clearly stood the test of time.
“He saw me get out of my car with my parents, pulling up to the dorm with my car full of stuff”, she shared it with Jenna Bush Hager on The Today Show in 2024. “He was the RA in my dorm building. I did not see him until we had our floor meeting that night. And he walked in, and I grabbed my poor roommate’s leg and just clawed up her thigh because I was like ‘He’s so cute! That’s the one'”.
Fast-forward to May 30, 2010, when the couple officially tied the knot. Reflecting on their wedding day in a 2016 Instagram post, Maas wrote, “Six years ago today, I married my best friend (and the greatest guy in the entire universe).”
Maas and Wasserman are proud parents to two children—Taran, 6, and Sloane, 2—as well as their beloved dog, Annie. The author has frequently shared her love for her family, most recently giving them a heartfelt shoutout in the acknowledgments of her 2024 novel House of Flame and Shadow (also known as Crescent City 3).
A Look at the Character Inspired by Papa Maas
Sarah J. Maas’s leading men—Rowan Whitethorn (Throne of Glass), Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses), and Hunt Athalar (Crescent City)—are all powerful, commanding “Alpha males.” But among these beloved characters, there’s one in particular who has captured the hearts of readers around the world more than the rest.
Of course, we’re talking about Rhysand—the irresistible High Lord of the Night Court—whom many fans believe was inspired by Maas’s husband, Josh Wasserman. While Maas hasn’t officially confirmed the connection, there are some striking similarities. For one, Rhysand and Wasserman share the same birthday: November 20. Maas has even mentioned that she chose Rhys’s birthday as a special gift to her husband. Interestingly, they also share that birthday with former President Joe Biden, a detail Maas playfully pointed out in a 2020 Instagram post.
Do you think Rhysand is based on Papa Maas?
