Nicholas Sparks’ newest film “Safe Haven” hit theaters last month just in time for Valentine’s Day, a recipe that seemed to be a sure success. Compared to Sparks’ previous hits, however, this latest flick missed the mark.

“Safe Haven” follows the story of a woman, Katie, who escapes her life in Boston and starts fresh in Southport, North Carolina. As she builds a new life for herself, elements of her mysterious past slowly catch up to her and begin to affect her bond with a local widower, Alex.

“Dancing with the Stars” personality-turned-actress Julianne Hough stars as Katie in the film, a much different part than her previous roles in the 2011 remake of “Footloose” and “Rock of Ages” in 2012.

Unfortunately, Hough’s work in “Safe Haven” suggests that she should stick to singing and dancing rather than drama. The character cycled through her emotions so quickly that it was difficult for any one feeling to permeate the audience, resulting in a rather bland performance.

Rom-com favorite Josh Duhamel played opposite Hough as Alex, a widower and father of two. Better known for his lead role in NBC’s “Las Vegas,” as well as his work opposite Katherine Heigl in “Life as We Know It,” Duhamel drops the ball in “Safe Haven.”

Duhamel’s relationships with his on-screen children Josh (Noah Lomax) and Lexie (Mimi Kirkland) were not very believable, much to the audience’s dismay. There was a certain lack of chemistry between Duhamel and the children, making him appear more like the loving uncle than the devoted father.

Of course, not all blame can be placed on the actors for the disappointments in “Safe Haven.” The story line was rushed at best, leaving little room to show Alex’s relationship with his kids and forcing the couple to fall in love too quickly for comfort. Director Lasse Hallström (“Chocolat”) should have taken greater care when developing these critical pieces of the plot.

“Safe Haven” is not entirely without merit, though. Young Noah Lomax, who also starred in “Playing for Keeps,” brought tears to the audience’s eyes as he struggled with the pain of losing his mother and the difficulty of accepting his father’s new girlfriend.

Kevin Tierney, the worst part of Katie’s troubled past, was also well done. Tierney was played by David Lyons, who was previously seen in “Eat Pray Love.” Through Lyon’s performance, the audience has the opportunity to watch a man break down emotionally and mentally until he becomes a reckless disaster.

“How I Met Your Mother” favorite Cobie Smulders rounds out the cast as Katie’s newfound friend Jo. Although Smulders’ character is elusive and somewhat minor, she does embody a classic Nicholas Sparks twist, providing Sparks’ fans with the “weepy” moment they love so much.

Overall, “Safe Haven” is another in a long list of chick flicks best suited for a night at home. It lacked the emotional depth that so often accompanies a Nicholas Sparks film, and the plot felt underdeveloped as a whole. Skip the theater on this one and wait until it comes out in Redbox or on Netflix.