VIDEO: Sneak Peek - Season Premiere of ABC's THE BACHELOR

Related: THE BACHELOR, ABC, Reality TV, previews & teasers

Sean Lowe is back as the Bachelor and ready to risk it all again for another chance at love. He begins the search for his soul mate, choosing from among 26 beautiful bachelorettes, when the 17th edition of THE BACHELOR premieres MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2013 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) , on ABC. Get a sneak peek below!

Sean kicks off his journey - not by meeting beautiful bachelorettes, but by meeting with a friend -- someone who was also left heartbroken by Emily -- Arie Lukendyk, Jr. The handsome race driver offers his support as well as some hilarious, if questionable advice.
Arriving at the mansion for the first cocktail party, Sean is nervous, but seeing how excited the women are to meet him calms him down. These amazing women all make unique and lasting impressions, including a beautiful make-up artist who marks her territory with a kiss on Sean's cheek. A gorgeous engineer back flips out of the limousine - only to fall, unceremoniously, on her behind. A lovely cruise ship singer serenades Sean with an original song about their future love.

A sexy hairdresser shocks Sean when she admits she's obsessed with the book Fifty Shades of Grey. A beauty dressed as a blushing bride steals the first real kiss of the night. However, Sean is so taken with one voluptuous woman, he decides to break the rules and offers her the first rose, to the dismay of the rest of the shocked and jealous women. But the last limo holds a real surprise: One additional guest shows up and changes the game. The competition shifts into high gear.

The women are confused and concerned when Sean gives another early rose to an enchanting wedding gown designer. When yet another bachelorette returns with a rose, the others realize that all the rules are out the window; if Sean feels a connection with one of them, she will get a rose right then and there. However not all the women are lucky enough to receive an early rose, and they wonder how best to impress him. One vulnerable woman reaches out to the Bachelor with honesty and sincerity. Another comes on strong, while still another repeatedly tries to steal his attention. Twelve women head into the rose ceremony with roses safely in hand. Sean, acknowledging how difficult it is to send seven more home, selects seven additional bachelorettes at the rose ceremony. Nineteen women will continue on with him in the search to find love.