I think the extra speed is only giving you an added enery buffer. This gives you more time to perceive what's happening & react. It allows you to be more gradual in your control inputs to alter the flight path from 'downwards' to 'horizontal'. The controls are also more effective.
Unless there's a misprint or miscalculation in the manual the recommended speed should provide adequate energy & control authority to transfer to level flight. The control inputs & pitch rates needed may be more than you're used to.
I'd suggest that over time you'll become more used to the behaviour of the a/c & more able to respond adequately (then with great skill!
) to the lesser time/lesser control authority using the book speed(s).