comparable

As I'm continuing to work on my various projects, I keep coming across comparables that I didn't enjoy reading. Is this an issue? I'm not supposed to critique them, am I? A zillion years ago, I was taught that the comparables section should praise every book mentioned, is this still the case...

As that proposal re-do is shaping up, I'm seeing that the number one comprable is also looking like a great submission possibility. (University press with a new imprint specializing in the five boroughs of NYC.) Do I lead with their book? Bury it? Certainly, I can't ignore it. What's the story?