In March 2026, the romantasy book world practically broke the internet when Sarah J. Maas announced on the Call Her Daddy podcast that two massive new A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) books are officially hitting shelves. The sixth book drops in October 2026, with the seventh following in early 2027. But as millions of fans gear up for more High Lord drama, a persistent question always bubbles up online: Who is the man behind the woman who writes the internet’s favorite fictional men?
If you are trying to find out about Sarah J. Maas’ husband in 2026, look no further than Josh Wasserman. Often dubbed “Papa Maas” by her fierce fanbase, Josh is far more than just a supportive spouse. He is the anchor of her chaotic, record-breaking life, stepping up to the plate so she can build her fantasy empires.
How the College Romance Started
Long before the 75 million book sales, the television show adaptations, and the massive real estate purchases, Sarah and Josh had a classic college meet-cute. The timeline goes all the way back to the mid-2000s at Hamilton College in upstate New York. During her freshman year, Sarah, who was studying creative writing and religious studies, crossed paths with Josh. As fate would have it, he was the resident assistant (RA) in her dorm building.
They clicked almost instantly. Sarah recently opened up about how they met during a floor meeting on her very first night on campus, admitting she was immediately struck by how cute he was. They started dating shortly after, navigating those early adult years side-by-side. By May 30, 2010, the college sweethearts were officially married.
Who is Josh Wasserman Outside the Book World?
While his wife writes epic tales of fae warriors and magical courts, Josh operates in a much more grounded reality. According to his professional background, he is a residential development expert. Since 2015, he has been the co-owner of the Wasserman Development Group.
Despite his wife’s massive global fame, Josh prefers to keep his personal social media presence locked down. However, he is a willing participant in the “Sarah J. Maas universe,” occasionally popping into her Instagram videos or bringing her a matcha latte during interviews.
Navigating life with two young children—their son Taran, who is now eight years old, and their daughter Sloane, who is four—takes serious teamwork. The family recently returned to Sarah’s hometown of New York City after bouncing between a sprawling $3.3 million Pennsylvania property and a brief stint on the West Coast in Los Angeles. Moving back to the city where she was born and raised brings their family story full circle, offering a normal environment away from the intense glare of the publishing spotlight.
Is Josh Wasserman the Real-Life Rhysand?
This is the main question every ACOTAR fan asks. Did Josh inspire Rhysand, the famously swoon-worthy High Lord of the Night Court?
While Sarah has never outright confirmed that Rhysand is a direct copy of Josh, she definitely leaves heavy hints for her readers. The biggest clue of all? Sarah gifted Rhysand the exact same birthday as her husband: November 20.
Beyond the fun Easter eggs, Sarah frequently credits Josh for her ability to write healthy, incredibly supportive romantic partnerships. During an interview on The Today Show, she explained that she can write about true love so convincingly because she gets to live it every single day. She noted that Josh has never been threatened by her monumental success. When deadline season hits and she needs to disappear into her writing cave to finish an 800-page manuscript, Josh steps up to manage the household and take care of the kids entirely.
The Infamous Breakfast Leak and the “Papa Maas” Persona
As 2026 shapes up to be another landmark year for the 40-year-old author, Josh’s role as her ultimate cheerleader remains entirely unchanged. The loyal fanbase has fully embraced him, bestowing the affectionate nickname “Papa Maas” upon him. Sarah has mentioned that she absolutely loves how her readers view him as a big part of her creative process. Even though his actual last name is Wasserman, not Maas, the couple leans into the inside joke because it makes him feel included in the wild ride of her career.
Josh’s involvement in the fandom actually gave readers one of their favorite behind-the-scenes moments back in 2021. In a hilarious accident, Josh unintentionally leaked the news that A Court of Thorns and Roses was being adapted for Hulu. He posted a totally innocent picture of his breakfast to his Instagram account, failing to realize that the top corner of Sarah’s confidential notes was visible in the frame. Internet sleuths immediately caught it. Within the hour, Sarah had to officially announce the television project, jokingly thanking Josh for “accidentally spilling the beans” to millions of followers.
A Partnership Built to Last
The pair has now been together for over half of Sarah’s life. From those early days of uploading Throne of Glass chapters to the FictionPress forums as a teenager, to selling tens of millions of copies worldwide and breaking news on major pop culture podcasts, Josh has been the one constant.
For readers heavily invested in the romantic fantasy genre, it is incredibly refreshing to know that the woman writing about epic, soul-binding love actually found her perfect match in real life. While he might not have literal bat wings or rule a magical territory, Josh Wasserman is clearly Sarah J. Maas’ greatest catch.