I agree with what
@enkei stated. Do not get too hung up on name brands since most are very similar and probably the frames were made in Asia (i.e. Taiwan) even though they are designed and often assembled elsewhere. Most bikes of a certain price and above are of decent quality and are not going to fall apart on you.
If you are planning on strictly cycling paved roadways then a "road" bike (specifically racing and touring types) can be a good choice, but there are many geometries out there that overlap into the gravel, hybrid range. Do you plan on primarily cycling certain disciplines like racing, touring, bikepacking, randonneur, sportive/gran fondo, cyclocross, commuting, etc.?
You can always get a gravel or hybrid style bike and have either a spare set of wider or narrower tires depending on the course(s) you plan to ride, or even have a spare wheelset that uses different gearing.
There are getting to be so many options out there that it is impossible to really recommend a specific bike to someone. You either need to have previous experience on a certain style bike or start doing test rides on those that you are interested in.
As previously stated it is necessary to be properly fit for your size so that your test rides will give you a proper indication of how comfortable you will be. It does not matter if the bike is entry level or pro level if you are test riding a bike not your size and not set up for your style of riding and posture. Also, a saddle which is not conducive to your riding style and body can make a great bike feel uncomfortable, where as a saddle that fits you properly can make a lesser bike seem like a great ride. If you find a bike you generally like, but comfort is an issue either have the bike (saddle, handlebar, stem, etc.) adjusted and retest it, or try a different saddle. Also, if possible test ride with different tires and/or test with tires at different pressures. There are many factors that can make or break your opinion of a bike so try as many variations on one specific frame to get the best idea of how the bike actually feels, and then try to duplicate that set-up on other bikes during testing. Do not base your opinion on test rides that are significantly shorter in distance, duration, and topography (flat, hilly) than what you expect to normally ride since a quick and short test will not give you a realistic indication of the bike's comfort on a real ride unless you plan only on using it for very short distances/durations. Generally testing for an hour or more (20 miles plus) will be adequate, but more is better.
You might want to find a decent used bike in your style and size just to get some experience (if you have little or none) under your belt. It will be a lot cheaper and you may find the perfect bike, or something that can be modified/upgraded before throwing a bunch of money down on a new bike. You can then make a more educated decision when ready to buy a new bike that specifically serves your needs and either keep the old bike or sell it to help defray the cost of a new bike.