Girls of Riyadh Book

Save for the last 3 chapters, Girls of Riyadh by Raja Alsanea was a huge let down. Sensationalized and immature, the author is clearly looking to cash in on the western stereotypes of the east. The 4 female protagonists act in the most predictable, girly-movie way.
The story did nothing for me, didn't enlighten me to the supposedly hidden side of the Arab way of life and society, as the author promised in many interviews. The author assumes this self-important, holier-than-thou tone that got so annoying that after the first few chapters I skipped the introductory passage where she addresses the readers. It's only towards the very end that the characters turn fleshy. You get a slight glimpse into something profound but it lingers below the surface, at best.
The author lacks the craft to tap into the real issues, she states them out loud rather than hint at them and allow the reader arrive at his/her own conclusion, and this is where the book falls short.
There are loads of better books out there for those with a genuine interest in gaining an insight into the lives of people living in Islamic societies.