I agree with Deb - it seems to be trendy these days to tilt the bars way up - I have no idea why.... but that is how shops put them together now.

I prefer the bottom of the drops to be horizontal (otherwise I always feel like my hands are sliding down them) and the brake hoods to be level as well.

It also may take some getting used to. Many people feel like they have a hard time with the drop when they first start riding a road bike. I have small hands and I have always used regular levers (as old as I am, there was no such thing as short reach anything when I was learning to ride....). I don't feel like I have any trouble reaching my brakes ever, probably because I am accustomed to it.